A growing number of UK businesses are discovering that their car parks could be worth far more than just a place to park. With the rapid rise of electric vehicle ownership, empty or underused parking spaces are becoming prime real estate for EV charging – and one British company says it has the solution to make the most of them.
3ti Energy Hubs has launched Papilio3, a smart, solar-powered EV charging hub that can be installed in less than a day and requires no costly grid upgrades or disruptive groundworks. Built from upcycled shipping containers, the unit comes equipped with 12 fast-charging points, integrated solar panels capable of generating up to 19.3 MWh of electricity each year, and a sheltered, well-lit environment for drivers.
The system is aimed at medium to long-stay locations – such as golf clubs, offices, and fleet depots – where drivers typically remain for three to eight hours. Businesses can buy or rent the hubs, using them to attract customers, cut energy costs, and create an additional income stream.
3ti says its Energy Management System can even transform sites into ‘smart microgrids’, balancing solar generation, battery storage, and charging demand to get the most out of existing infrastructure.
Industry observers say innovations like Papilio3 could help bridge the gap in EV charging infrastructure while offering businesses a chance to go green and boost profits at the same time.
For more information, visit www.3ti.co.uk