October 12, 2009
Pioneers in electric driving with Ensto's charging poles
The city of Oslo in Norway is taking real action to reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector. It is the first Nordic city to prepare for the large-scale use of electric vehicles, agreeing to purchase 150 charging points with an option of 170 more. There are already around 50 charging points that enable electric car drivers to charge their vehicle and park for free both under cover and on the street. The winning bid was made by Proxll using Ensto’s products.
Technical solutions for future needs
The decision was based on four criteria: price, design, technical capability and delivery. An important factor in assessing technical capability was compatibility with parking meters. The solution created by Ensto had this technology built-in.
Ensto has been working on electric driving for many years, delivering a range of pioneering projects. In Finland, for instance, it has worked in cooperation with energy company Fortum in designing charging points for use in department store parking lots.
Top marks for modern design
Ensto’s solution was ranked the best for design. The traffic agency considered that its streamlined design would fit well into the urban environment. The charging points are expected to stand out from other street furniture such as electrical cabinets, parking meters etc.
The charging point contains a light that shows green when the device is ready for use, blue when charging and red when service is required. The traffic agency welcomed the indicator lights as making it easier for electric car drivers to understand the purpose and operability of the new equipment.
New poles are launched in Finland, too
Ensto and Fortum have worked together to develop a new type of recharging point for electric vehicles. The Kaupinkallio parking garage in the Tapiola area of Espoo, Finland, will be the first to receive the new type of recharging posts developed by Fortum and Ensto. The plan is to have the posts up and running by the end of November of this year.
A lot of noise over silent vehicles
Electric cars are generally used over short distances between work and home. Driving an electric car does not require any great change in traffic behavior - although visits to the gas station can be replaced by just plugging in the car when parked at home or work. Once the authorities develop ways to support electric driving (for instance, by linking taxes and parking fees to vehicle emissions), real financial savings should become a reality. And, on top of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, electric cars also help reduce noise pollution.
Slowly but surely, governments are starting to do their part. Once mainstream manufacturers get their electric cars on the market and the charging infrastructure is ready, it will be up to drivers to make the difference: vehicles account for ten percent of man-made greenhouse gas emissions. With support from cities and governments, electric cars are expected to become an increasingly common sight in urban traffic in the next ten years.
For more information of Ensto's solutions: www.ensto.com
