Darren Casey, Head of Product Development at Aurora Lighting, and most recently Seren, talks to us about how this new EV charger fits perfectly into Aurora’s product portfolio, plus the array of new lighting products the brand has recently launched.
Q. Tell us some more about the launch of Seren…
Leveraging over 20 years of electrical expertise, Aurora Lighting UK has created a versatile and installer-friendly EV charger that seamlessly integrates dynamic lighting features.
Launched at the end of 2023, we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved. The product not only looks fantastic, but it has been designed to include all the installation features and high quality that electricians expect from the Aurora brand.
Q. How do you see Seren fitting within the current Aurora product offering?
Aurora has been at the forefront of residential lighting for over 20 years, so Seren EV is the perfect product to complement this.
To future-proof residential properties the government recently introduced a new regulation that stipulates all new build homes must be built with 1 x EV charger per available parking space, so it made perfect sense to us. We’re already supplying newly built homes with LED lighting, so why not offer an EV charger as well?
Q. What were some of the important features you wanted to include when designing Seren?
Firstly, just like our lighting, we wanted it to be contractor-friendly, so we spent a lot of time designing specific installation features to ensure the process was straightforward. Additionally, we couldn’t forget about the end-user who would be using the product every day.
Seren is a smart EV charger with a bespoke App, meaning it complies with all UK regulations. The App was also designed and tested by our team in the UK who have made sure that we don’t just offer a high level of control for those who would like it, but also an easy user experience for those who want more basic control.
Q. What makes Seren stand out from other EV chargers?
Seren’s standout feature is the dynamic lighting bar capabilities, which we were keen to include as a nod towards our Aurora heritage. The RGB lighting feature not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the charger but also offers valuable user guidance during the charging experience. The RGB lighting can be controlled via the App, so end users can select the colours that suit them, or it can be switched off completely if it’s not wanted.
The lighting element provides a very useful backlight when trying to plug in your car during those dark British winter mornings and nights. To complement the dynamic lighting, Seren also has a choice of different colour covers, offering the end user the opportunity to personalise the look of their charger.
Q. Do you have any future plans for the Seren brand?
Yes, lots! As a relatively new brand, we’ve still got lots of avenues to explore with Seren. The range currently consists of a 7.4 kW charger, but we also know there is a demand for a larger 22 kW version, so this is on our radar for future development.
We’re also exploring additional accessories we could offer, plus the introduction of a service that will allow homeowners and small businesses to customise their chargers even further, so watch this space!
Q. What else has been going on at Aurora?
Well, it’s been a very busy few months at the company. As well as launching Seren, which was a brand-new product development process for the team, we’ve also expanded our lighting portfolio. In order to support more commercial projects, we’ve added a host of products that are suitable for retail, education and industrial environments.
We’ve also launched a brand-new architectural range, Europole, which aims to service the higher-end residential and hospitality sectors, with a range of indoor modular downlights plus a range of attractive outdoor garden lights.
Finally, we reintroduced the popular entry-level product offering, Enlite, which is able to serve the price-conscious market.
We’re also really proud to offer a leading three-year on-site warranty across a number of our commercial fixtures, which again is testament to the quality of Aurora’s products.
Q. Where can interested parties get their hands on Seren?
Seren is available from electrical wholesalers nationwide. We’ve recently launched a range of in-branch POS units, so look out for these at your local trade counter.
Visit the Seren product information page online here
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