One of the critical issues for ensuring that electric vehicles dominate our roads before the 2030 deadline when the government intends to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is expanding the charging infrastructure. 3ti believe they have the solution in the form of a pop-up solar-powered electric vehicle charging hub that can be up and running within 24 hours.
A Solid Infrastructure
One massive advantage of EVs is that most owners will be able to charge them at home. So, although the demand for refuelling stations won’t be quite as intensive as petrol stations, there does need to be a strong network in place. When you think about how many fuel stations there are in your local area alone, you can see how important it is for people to be able to refuel quickly. Of course, unlike a petrol or diesel pump, you cannot just pull up and add the fuel in a matter of minutes. Drivers have to park and plug in the car - although significant improvements have been made with fast and now ultra-fast chargers.
Installation Takes Time
When permanent charging points are installed, there is groundwork to be done, and care has to be taken to ensure that the National Grid is not overloaded, which is why 3ti believes that their Papilio 3 could be the perfect solution because it is solar-powered and not reliant on the grid. The unit also reuses shipping containers and boasts 12 charging points per unit. Thanks to its ability to draw power from the sun and battery boost system, the charging speed can be increased. The electricity used requires less carbon making it cleaner and greener than many alternatives.
Rental Agreements
3ti is no stranger to the EV market as they are an operator and funder of Solar Car Parks. These new units are being offered on a rental basis and aimed at workplaces and areas with a sizeable public footfall like hospitals and shopping centres. Once assembled, the units provide three modular canopies, and in total, 36 solar panels are powering each one. The battery side has a storage capacity of up to 250kWh. Drivers are sheltered from the elements, and the whole unit is lit for safety. The founder and CEO of 3ti, Tim Evans, said: “Allowing businesses to generate renewable energy right outside their front door not only gives them greater control of energy costs, but it also makes a huge statement to customers and visitors that they are serious about tackling climate change and reducing carbon emissions.”
First Unit Deployed
The first unit has been deployed to Surrey Research Park, located in Guildford, where there are 200 businesses, including BAE Systems and Airbus. The University of Surrey owns the Research Park, where it employs over 4,500 people. The CEO Grant Bourhill supports the idea and said, “The rollout of Papilio3 reflects our commitment to sustainability in addition to testing new innovation and supporting business growth. The University of Surrey has recently improved its position to 55th in the global sustainability rankings of over 1400 institutions, and the work with 3ti is yet another example of our sustainability commitment.”