Opening of first (multi-car) charging station for electric cars
The charging station, named Veerkracht (Dutch translation for Resilience), can accommodate ten cars charging simultaneously. Smart software ensures that the charging station divides the available renewable electricity between the cars.
Alderman Arno Bonte (of Sustainability, Air Quality and Energy Transition) stated: 'By clustering the charging facilities, the user spends less time looking for a charging point. Also, the installation process is more efficient. We save on costs and conduct less work on the street.'
Scheepvaartkwartier is one of the areas of Rotterdam with the highest density of electric cars. The residents and business people in the area have voiced a need for more charging facilities. The (multi-car) charging station responds to and anticipates this need.
A first for Rotterdam
It's not only the first (multi-car) charging station in Rotterdam, but the charging points also have new functionalities. After all, these are the first contractless charging points in Rotterdam, where drivers can also charge their cars without a charging card, via the Laadpaal app/Last Mile Solutions linked to PayPal.
Experiences for the future
The first year, the (multi-car) charging station will serve as a pilot project. Learning goals were set for this period. These goals involve increasing the level of convenience for the electric driver, reducing the impact on the public space, and the (social) costs of the charging infrastructure.
'The experiences gained through this pilot will help the city with its ongoing development of the network of charging facilities, and it's a valuable addition for Rotterdam. We are anticipating and responding to the needs of the electric driver, while also contributing to a healthier, more liveable city', says alderman Bonte. During this pilot, the city will work with different parties, like ENGIE, Stedin, Van der Sijs and Last Mile Solutions.
Electric vehicles
The city is encouraging the use of electric vehicles, to improve the city's air quality. The increase in the number of electric cars also translates to an increase in the need for charging points. Rotterdam currently has roughly 1,800 public charging points. Rotterdam is working towards becoming completely emissions-free by 2050, as per the coalition agreement. By then, the emission of CO2 must be zero.
