3ti launches pop-up solar ‘destination’ EV charging hub

A new solar-powered pop-up electric vehicle charging station, designed to provide destination charging at locations without existing infrastructure, has been launched by solar car park specialist 3ti.

The Papilio3 is manufactured in the UK using recycled shipping containers and the company says it can be deployed anywhere in just 24 hours without the requirement for costly new grid connections.

The Papilio3 is designed to enable up to 12 vehicles to recharge on-site via Sevadis’ Scatalo Duo Power units. Integrated with smart back-office management system provider, Fuuse, the Papilio3 is described as offering a seamless, intelligent charging solution for both businesses and EV drivers.

The Papilio3 is able to store up to 250kWh of solar-generated energy, which can be load-balanced to provide power to EVs efficiently throughout the charging periods.

The modular solar EV charging hubs can be rented from 3ti, therefore requiring no capital investment by customers.

The Papilio3 has been brought to the market to provide sustainable EV charging solutions to workplaces, local authorities, attractions, hospitality venues etc to ensure locations that do not have the infrastructure for EV charging facilities can deploy a solution without costly investments.

Each unit offers sheltered illumination and secure parking, ensuring that EV drivers are safe when charging their vehicles throughout the day and night.

The first Papilio3 has already been installed at Surrey Research Park, located in Guildford.

Tim Evans, 3ti founder & CEO, said: “We believe that solar and battery boosted destination and workplace charging will become the best EV charging solution for drivers, irrespective of the type of home they live in. By utilising dwell times of several hours, when cars are parked at work or when the driver is visiting a shopping or leisure venue, for example, 3ti’s system ensures that EVs can achieve a level of charge that covers day-to-day driving needs and does it in the most low-carbon way.”

“Overnight charging at home generally provides the most cost effective, carbon efficient, sustainable form of EV charging, but in the UK, around 50% of households will not be able to do this,” explains Evans. “If you live in a flat, a tower block, a rented house, in temporary accommodation or even in a £10m terraced town house in Chelsea, you’re probably not going to be able to charge an EV at home.   

“We believe that solar and battery boosted destination and workplace charging will become the best EV charging solution for drivers, irrespective of the type of home they live in,” he continues. “By utilising dwell times of several hours, when cars are parked at work or when the driver is visiting a shopping or leisure venue, for example, 3ti’s system ensures that EVs can achieve a level of charge that covers day-to-day driving needs and does it in the most low-carbon way.”

Papilio3 is fitted with three modular canopies that support 36 solar panels and has battery storage capacity of up to 250 kWh. It has been developed by 3ti with Cambridge Design Partnership, and has been designed for roll-out at workplaces and public destinations such as hospitals, hotels, meeting venues, sports or shopping centres, tourist attractions and town centres. Each unit offers sheltered, illuminated and secure parking, plus a convenient, available and reliable EV charging experience that supports a mixture of 7, 11 and 22 kilowatts.

”Widespread adoption of SCPs will turn underutilised spaces into renewable energy generating assets, and adding batteries and EV charge points will accelerate decarbonisation of the UK’s transport sector,” explains Evans. “Allowing businesses to generate renewable energy right outside their front door not only gives them greater control of energy costs, it also makes a huge statement to customers and visitors that they are serious about tackling climate change and reducing carbon emissions. By deploying fast charge points, up to 12 at a time, with Papilio3, we will provide much-needed, cost-effective charge-point infrastructure and expand the UK’s network of public EV charge points.” 

He said Papilio3 integrates three technologies that are more usually considered individually: solar photovoltaic electricity generation, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and EV charge points. Combining the three offers a range of benefits, including the ability to use grid energy, solar power and battery storage to optimise the speed and carbon intensity of EV charging. Onsite renewable energy generation from solar panels also reduces energy costs and gives businesses greater control over energy supply.  

“Papilio3 isn’t just about providing the UK with a broader range of EV charge points,” said Evans. “It also focuses on the capture and management of renewable energy, as a way of reducing the country’s draw on carbon-intensive energy for EV charging at peak times.”

Papilio3 units are owned by 3ti, provided on a monthly rental basis and require limited approvals, overcoming these hurdles by enabling a 24-hour deployment and installation time, and requiring no capital investment by customers.

“One of the best things about owning an EV is that you don’t have to visit a petrol station to fill up,” said 3ti chief technical officer, Mark Potter. “As EV drivers, we want to charge when we stop, not stop to charge. Rapid charging with 50-250 kW is fine for en-route charging during long journeys, but it’s not the right solution for regular use – it increases battery degradation and pushes up electricity prices for everyone, not just those who are charging. If you can’t charge at home, it’s best to charge when you arrive at where you’re going. Cars are parked 95% of their time – that’s when and where they should be charged. Destination and workplace charging is a more sustainable option, better value and more much more convenient. The three technologies integrated in Papilio3 enable the system to store and use the cleanest, lowest-cost energy from its own solar panels and the grid supply. That means we can reduce the demand on peak hours grid energy without compromising EV charging speed.”

David Abernethie, senior project manager at Sevadis said: ”We are incredibly proud to be a part of 3ti’s new solar EV charging hub. This modular unit is a game-changing addition to the industry and will without a doubt spark interest from numerous businesses and organisations seeking to offer EV charging facilities to their employees and customers.”