The ideal solution to EV charging in public spaces will be able to fit around whatever street furniture is there already, have no impact on grid supply, be cheap to install and offer easy relocation in response to changing demand patterns. StreetHUBZ, from ZAPINAMO is such a solution. It has the potential to fit elegantly around existing street furniture, taking up minimum additional space. Each unit is interconnected with others, meaning an EV driver can park anywhere in a StreetHUBZ-equipped on-street location. User interfaces will allow them to select a trickle charge, possibly with a delay to take advantage of off-peak pricing or pay premium for a rapid charge from StreetHUBZ storage. Using low power domestic electricity supply minimises groundworks, making HUBZ rapid and inexpensive to install.

In this project, ZAPINAMO have formed a consortium with Gamma Energy Ltd (GAMMA) and Devon County Council (DCC). They will design, build, install operate and maintain 150 pre-production, on-street, semi-rapid (35kW) EV chargers in a world-first demonstrator in the Exeter area. CoCars will provide cost-effective, on-street PAYG EV rental cars to boost awareness & EV adoption. Regen will collect data to build transferable business models, applicable to different locations. There are particular challenges to EV use and charging around Devon, namely: current lack of chargepoints; an electricity grid with no spare capacity in the majority of locations; longer journeys than elsewhere due to dispersed population; need to preserve aesthetics of streetscapes; need to maintain pedestrian and vehicle access along streets that are often narrower than UK average.

ZAPINAMO have adapted HUBZ around these criteria, in close collaboration with GAMMA and DCC. GAMMA will own and operate infrastructure during and post-project. They will develop business models that maximise use of clean, local energy and develop flexible pricing models that will boost EV uptake.

With its modular design that fits virtually anywhere, easy installation, flexible operation and ability to provide EV charging with minimal grid impact, ZAPINAMO's StreetHUBZ, powered by GAMMA's solar PV farms, complete the pathway of clean, local energy to clean vehicles.