The first solar-powered EV charging station in Mumbai was installed in Malad in May of this year, according to EV charging solutions company Atum Charge. The unique EV charging station termed Atum Charge uses an integrated solar roof to generate electricity. While conventional EV charging stations use thermal energy to produce electricity, this innovation may enable the entire EV charging concept to switch to 100% solar energy.
Why Solar Powered EV Charging?
India is ranked third in the carbon emission index but tenth in the performance metric on climate change, indicating its position and goals for achieving the zero-net index. One of the most crucial instances of how the country’s infrastructure is transforming is the growth of the EV sector.
India is on target to deploy at least 30% of electric vehicles by 2030 and reach the needed score by 2070. Accordingly, numerous new infrastructures are under construction to support the EV initiative under the supervision of the government.
The need for environmentally friendly mobility is essential given the growing carbon footprint. Currently, electric vehicles are considered the best solution for lowering carbon emissions.
But is it truly as green an alternative as we believe it to be?
The machines spewing smoke are not the only things contributing to the carbon footprint. Production, operation, and pollution might increase the nation’s carbon emissions. Most EVs that eventually hit the road might use electricity generated from fossil fuels.
Innovation from Visaka Industries
Telangana-based Visaka Industries has designed a solar-powered, self-sustainable EV charging station to solve this contradiction. The first Solar EV charge station in Mumbai, or ATUM Charge as they called it, is located in Malad and is entirely eco-friendly.
In the first half of this year, 250 Universal Electric Vehicle charging stations got installed around the nation, according to solar-powered EV charging solutions supplier ATUM Charge.
The company stated that 36 got established in Maharashtra, 44 in Tamil Nadu, 48 in Telangana, 23 in Andhra Pradesh, 14 in Haryana, 15 in Uttar Pradesh, and 24 in Odisha.
The company chose the areas based on Tier-I/II towns and cities because EV adoption in these states is encouraging. The business said it would start expanding into more cities in the upcoming months. Visaka Industries installed its first such charging station in Hyderabad in September of last year.
According to Visaka Industries, conventional EV charging stations produce electricity through thermal power. When adding additional strain to the power grid, the charging solution uses an integrated solar roof that generates electricity, enabling the entire electric vehicle charging proposition to transition to 100% solar.
“With the introduction of 250 ATUM Charge EV Charging Stations, we have reaffirmed our commitment to supporting the nation’s EV ecosystem. Our ultimate objective is to replace thermal power plants with solar power plants. We strive for zero emissions, a sustainable network, and a cleaner world forever. Change has started, and now it’s up to us to lead the ship,” declared Vamsi Gaddam, founder of ATUM Charge.
Considering that an EV takes roughly 6–8 hours to charge completely, the company said it has 4-KW capacity panels installed that can charge up to 10–12 cars of various types every day, including two–, three–, and four–wheelers.
ATUM Charge
India’s first completely green EV charging station is ATUM Charge. In contrast to current EV charging devices that employ thermal power generation, one of the prime sources of pollution, it is powered with an ATUM Solar Roof, making it a truly sustainable alternative.
The construction of ATUM Charge stations uses Vnext Boards, a line of fiber cement boards that serve as a great environmentally friendly substitute for gypsum, wood, and plywood. Compared to plywood, cement, and steel per tonne of manufacture, Vnext goods are more eco-friendly. As a result, ATUM Charge would generate green energy and promote green travel in the truest sense of the term.
Similarly, ATUM Charge facilities will soon get introduced by Visaka in all major cities, and steps are already underway toward a thorough national extension. Visaka is looking to partner with interested groups who possess a piece of land in prime locations of any towns or cities and are willing to let it out on a lease basis for ten years and beyond to promote speedy expansion across the nation. It would not only produce a monthly income, on which Visaka will grant an annual raise, but also help clean up the environment and hasten the adoption of electric vehicles.
Why Use ATUM Charge
- 3.3 to 10 KW for standard EVSE charging (Electric Vehicle Service Equipment)
- 2 EVSE minimum per charging station
- A CPO (Charge Point Operator)
- Reduces capital costs since it is less expensive, needs less space, and uses less electricity; can be connected to low-voltage single- and three-phase distribution networks, used in buildings and public places and are simple to install;
- EV users can save time and eliminate trip distance by having EV charging stations available where cars are likely to park.
- The demand for high power and ultra-high power charging points, which are more expensive and can harm EV battery health if misused, is reduced by a dense network of these power EV charging stations.
Bottom Line
This innovation may make it possible to transition the entire EV charging concept to 100% solar energy, unlike how traditional EV charging stations generate electricity using thermal energy. Given the expanding carbon footprint, ecologically friendly transportation is the need of the hour for India.
