An electric home charger generally provides the most cost-effective, carbon-efficient, sustainable electric vehicle charging. Still, in the UK, around 50% of households will not be able to charge an EV at home.
3ti, the team that design, install and operators of the largest Solar Car Parks (SCPs) in the UK, have launched Papilio3 - the world’s first pop-up mini solar panelled car park, which took 24 hours to deploy at Surrey Research Park, in Guildford and has been built around a recycled shipping container. Launched with 12 fast electric vehicle charging points, tackling the need for the UK government to expand electric vehicle infrastructure ahead of the intended ban of new diesel and petrol cars in 2030, the solar charging system is battery boosted, further increasing the speed of charge for EV drivers while reducing the carbon intensity of electricity being used.
Papilio3 is fitted with three modular canopies equipped with 36 solar panels and a battery storage capacity of up to 250 kWh. Developed by 3ti with Cambridge Design Partners, it 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, well-lit, secure parking and a convenient, available and reliable EV charging experience that supports a mixture of 7, 11 and 22 kilowatts.
An integration of grid energy, solar power and battery storage
The device merges three technologies that are more usually utilised individually: solar photovoltaic electricity generation, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and EV charge points. Combining the three allows a variety of benefits, including the ability to use grid energy, solar power and battery storage to optimise and increase the speed of charge while reducing the carbon intensity of EV charging. Onsite renewable energy from solar panels also lowers energy costs and gives businesses more control over energy supply.
“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 lowest carbon way.” -Tim Evans, 3ti founder & CEO. Providing an option for businesses to generate renewable energy right outside gives them greater control of their energy costs and makes a big statement to all that they are serious about tackling climate change and reducing carbon emissions.
By deploying Papilio3, businesses can provide cost-effective charge point infrastructure while expanding the UK’s public EV car charging points network. Available from 3ti on a rental contract only, therefore requiring no capital investment by customers.
The 3ti team is responsible for the two largest SCPs in the UK, Bentley Motors, Crewe and JP Morgan Chase, Bournemouth. 3ti is also working on multi-site projects for the Ministry of Defence and has already installed solar car parking for around 2,500 parking spaces around the country.