Outdoor Digital Signs Can Boost EV Adoption
Brief
Spark Horizon decided to accelerate the adoption of the electric vehicle by deploying a network of free EV charging stations, sponsored through marketing partnerships and media content. This was achieved with combining proven outdoor digital sign technology imotion FLOW and EV charging solution, which resulted in development of custom outdoor digital sign called imotion CHARGE.
Situation analysis
Adoptions of electric cars is rapid, but despite the wide range of vehicles available, the adoption is still marginal. Among the main barriers to this adoption, is a lack of infrastructure.
EV charging stations are growing fast. For example, in Q1 2020 alone the US EV charging network had grown by 8.6% over Q4 2019.[1] Nevertheless there is still a problem with public charging in most countries. As of 2020 most European regions have less than 0.5 EV charging points per 1,000 inhabitants, and this increasing pace of new installations needs to continue in the future to support an increase in EV fleets.[2] To ensure large-scale EV adoption, an adequate charging stations network must be developed.
Solution
Spark Horizon partnership with Infinitus, is addressing this problem by deploying connected charging stations with screens and digital out of home (DOOH) displays, that allow advertisers and municipalities to deliver information. This is achieved with developing custom outdoor digital sign called imotion CHARGE. Aesthetic electric car charging totem with two integrated 46” advertising displays, two e-charging modules, LED illuminated lights on the top and various add-ons possibilities.
With choosing imotion CHARGE, the city authorities and real estate companies get a turnkey infrastructure solution, which is financed through the advertising inventory. As for the users, they get the first 30 minutes of charging for free, and additional discount coupons from the restaurant or shopping mall partnering the scheme.
Imotion CHARGE offers brands a highly effective marketing platform to deliver their message, all while encouraging communities toward electric mobility.
Public display
As a starting point 5 imotion CHARGE 46” EV charging stations were placed in three Switzerland cities, Zurich, St. Gallen and Stadt. Outdoor totems are powered by imotion FLOW technology, which ensures seamless operation. Totems have self-regulated thermal management, automatic maintenance calls and are vandal proof. To extend their functionality additional add-ons were integrated, such as Wi-Fi Access, 4G Connectivity, two cameras, USB chargers and NFC payment solution.
[1] https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy20osti/77508.pdf
[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1361920921001164