SimpleCharge is a startup offering innovative electric car charging stations that can be placed on light poles. As of August 1 of this year, the company offers not only to buy or rent equipment, but also to install it at your home for free. In this way, SimpleCharge wants to reduce the inequality in the availability of electric car charging infrastructure, explains Artis Markots, CEO of the company.
As of July 2023, almost 5,314 electric cars have been registered in Latvia. The rapid increase from 3,832 units at the beginning of the year can be explained by the introduction of state subsidies for the purchase of electric cars, as well as by the drop in prices of electric cars together with the increase in supply. It is predicted that we will observe this type of growth for only a few more years, because the majority of Latvian residents (66%) live in apartment buildings where electric car charging is not available near their homes. This is an important aspect to decide in favor of buying an electric car, because usually 80% of electric car charging takes place directly at home, where it is most convenient.
To address this issue in a timely manner, startup SimpleCharge has designed and tested an electric car charging station that can be easily attached to any light pole in the city. Such an approach allows the development of electric car charging infrastructure without large investments in new infrastructure. The SimpleCharge team has been producing and operating this solution since the end of 2021, and has already placed 7 charging stations in Riga.
The team is actively supported by EIT Urban Mobility, where the company has received support to test a new business model in which charging equipment is offered for rent to local businesses and municipalities. EIT Urban Mobility is supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), an institution of the European Union.
SimpleCharge charging solution at a street light pole (Publicity image)
The events of the last year show that the well-being of our country’s residents is highly dependent on global oil price fluctuations, as the rise in fuel prices directly affects the value of the shopping basket. The alternative for all of us is to switch to an electric car, because we can produce the electricity we need for them from renewable natural resources, thereby strengthening the independence of our country. That’s why solutions like SimpleCharge, which allow fast and easy development of electric car charging infrastructure, are critical to the long-term security of our economy.
Kristaps Elvis Volks, the company’s business development manager
As of August 1, 2023, the startup offers free installation of SimpleCharge charging stations from light poles near your home.
In our experience, talking to infrastructure operators, electric car owners and parking operators, we see that the market does not want to invest large sums in electric car charging infrastructure, because currently the number of electric cars, especially in neighborhoods, is very small, so the rental offer to test the demand for charging, is an innovative offer on the market.
Artis Markots, head of SimpleCharge
This is possible because, using the SimpleCharge solution, there is no need to build a new infrastructure, and the installation of one device takes less than one hour. SimpleCharge wants to provide a “bridge” that will help people in neighborhoods to decide in favor of buying an electric car. SimpleCharge provides this by offering 3 business models – free, which anyone can apply for, as well as purchase and rental of charging equipment. To apply for your backyard lighting pole for a free station, go to simplecharge.lv and fill out the application.
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2023-08-02 09:07:34
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