New development means EV chargers can double as coffee vending machines

As electric vehicles (EVs) become more prevalent on UK roads, so too do EV chargers. But what if these chargers could do more than just charge your car? What if they could also brew you a fresh cup of coffee while you wait?

It may sound like a far-fetched idea, but it's one being developed today by the Battery Bean Research Group. EV chargers naturally generate a small amount of heat during the charging process, which the company claims could be harnessed to brew a unique style of coffee.

According to the latest figures from the Department for Transport, there are currently around 30,000 public EV chargers in the UK. If even a fraction of these were adapted to brew coffee, it could revolutionise the way we think about EV charging.

But why brew coffee inside an EV charger? Led by Research Director Dr S Presso, the team at Battery Bean Research believe that brewing coffee at lower temperatures can result in better flavour. "The lower the brew temperature, the more biased the resulting coffee is towards faster dissolving compounds. Typically, sugars are the fastest dissolving, followed by acids and fruit flavours, then toast/wood/nut flavours, and finally smoky flavours."

Another benefit is that drivers being served coffee by the same machine that charges their EV will be more refreshed. This could make the whole experience of EV charging much more pleasant and potentially more personalised. By expanding account profiles on popular EV charging apps  - to include the driver’s preference for strength, style and origin – the brew-enabled charge point could prepare the perfect coffee experience on arrival.

In conclusion, the potential for EV chargers to be adapted to brew coffee is an exciting one. With thousands of EV chargers already in place across the UK, it's not hard to imagine a future where drivers can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee while they wait for their car to charge. So next time you're at an EV charging station, imagine what it would be like to have a fresh cup of coffee in your hand. It might not be too far away.