Spotlight on Sustainability: University of Surrey's Solar EV Charging Solution

University of Surrey

Guildford

What a lovely simple idea to cover car parks in solar panels… if you’re not doing that now, you’re an utter disgrace to the human race!”

Robert Llewellyn

Host of the Everything Electric Show

Fully Charged Show features 3ti’s rapid installation of the Papilio3 solar EV charging hub at University of Surrey, showcasing solutions to grid upgrade challenges.

Background

The University of Surrey has established itself as an institution with a strong focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility. As part of their ongoing commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable transport options, the university sought to enhance their EV charging infrastructure for staff, students, and visitors.

Simultaneously, the popular Fully Charged Show, hosted by Robert Llewellyn, has been at the forefront of showcasing innovative clean energy and electric mobility solutions to their audience. The show regularly features groundbreaking technologies that address barriers to widespread EV adoption.

This partnership presented an opportunity to demonstrate how innovative solutions can overcome common obstacles to EV infrastructure deployment in educational settings.

Challenge

The University of Surrey, like many institutions and businesses across the UK, faced several challenges in implementing EV charging infrastructure:

  • Limited grid capacity and the delays associated with grid upgrades
  • The need for rapid deployment to meet growing demand for EV charging
  • Balancing the requirements for both destination and workplace charging
  • Maintaining alignment with the university’s sustainability commitments
  • Creating a visible demonstration of renewable energy integration for educational purposes

Traditional EV charging solutions often require significant grid upgrades, lengthy installation periods, and substantial disruption to existing infrastructure—challenges that needed to be overcome for successful implementation.

Our Approach

3ti installed its Papilio3 solar EV charging hub at the University of Surrey, providing:

  • A rapidly deployable solution that was delivered by truck and installed in a matter of hours
  • Solar-powered EV charging that reduces dependence on grid capacity
  • A dual-purpose charging facility supporting both destination and workplace charging needs
  • An upcycled shipping container as the base for the installation, enhancing sustainability credentials
  • Smart energy management to optimise the use of locally generated solar power

The installation was documented by Robert Llewellyn and the Fully Charged Show team, creating an educational showcase of the technology and its benefits for their audience.

Results

The partnership between 3ti and the University of Surrey delivered multiple benefits:

  • Successful demonstration of how EV charging infrastructure can be deployed without waiting for grid upgrades
  • Creation of a sustainable charging solution that aligns with the university’s focus on environmental responsibility
  • Provision of both destination and workplace charging options for the university community
  • Transformation of an existing parking facility into a revenue-generating asset
  • Educational showcase through the Fully Charged Show, highlighting innovative solutions to EV infrastructure challenges
  • Increased visibility of sustainable transport solutions both within the university and to a wider audience through the show’s coverage

The University of Surrey installation serves as a powerful example of how educational institutions can rapidly enhance their sustainability credentials while providing practical amenities for their communities. It also demonstrates how media partnerships can amplify the impact of sustainable initiatives, sharing best practices and innovative solutions with a broader audience.

The featured installation now joins other notable 3ti projects across the UK, including those at Bentley Motors, Silverstone Circuits, various Councils, Police Forces, and NHS locations, forming part of a growing network of sustainable EV charging infrastructure.

Fully Charged Show features 3ti’s rapid installation of the Papilio3 solar EV charging hub at University of Surrey, showcasing solutions to grid upgrade challenges.

Background

The University of Surrey has established itself as an institution with a strong focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility. As part of their ongoing commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable transport options, the university sought to enhance their EV charging infrastructure for staff, students, and visitors.

Simultaneously, the popular Fully Charged Show, hosted by Robert Llewellyn, has been at the forefront of showcasing innovative clean energy and electric mobility solutions to their audience. The show regularly features groundbreaking technologies that address barriers to widespread EV adoption.

This partnership presented an opportunity to demonstrate how innovative solutions can overcome common obstacles to EV infrastructure deployment in educational settings.

Challenge

The University of Surrey, like many institutions and businesses across the UK, faced several challenges in implementing EV charging infrastructure:

  • Limited grid capacity and the delays associated with grid upgrades
  • The need for rapid deployment to meet growing demand for EV charging
  • Balancing the requirements for both destination and workplace charging
  • Maintaining alignment with the university’s sustainability commitments
  • Creating a visible demonstration of renewable energy integration for educational purposes

Traditional EV charging solutions often require significant grid upgrades, lengthy installation periods, and substantial disruption to existing infrastructure—challenges that needed to be overcome for successful implementation.

Our Approach

3ti installed its Papilio3 solar EV charging hub at the University of Surrey, providing:

  • A rapidly deployable solution that was delivered by truck and installed in a matter of hours
  • Solar-powered EV charging that reduces dependence on grid capacity
  • A dual-purpose charging facility supporting both destination and workplace charging needs
  • An upcycled shipping container as the base for the installation, enhancing sustainability credentials
  • Smart energy management to optimise the use of locally generated solar power

The installation was documented by Robert Llewellyn and the Fully Charged Show team, creating an educational showcase of the technology and its benefits for their audience.

Results

The partnership between 3ti and the University of Surrey delivered multiple benefits:

  • Successful demonstration of how EV charging infrastructure can be deployed without waiting for grid upgrades
  • Creation of a sustainable charging solution that aligns with the university’s focus on environmental responsibility
  • Provision of both destination and workplace charging options for the university community
  • Transformation of an existing parking facility into a revenue-generating asset
  • Educational showcase through the Fully Charged Show, highlighting innovative solutions to EV infrastructure challenges
  • Increased visibility of sustainable transport solutions both within the university and to a wider audience through the show’s coverage

The University of Surrey installation serves as a powerful example of how educational institutions can rapidly enhance their sustainability credentials while providing practical amenities for their communities. It also demonstrates how media partnerships can amplify the impact of sustainable initiatives, sharing best practices and innovative solutions with a broader audience.

The featured installation now joins other notable 3ti projects across the UK, including those at Bentley Motors, Silverstone Circuits, various Councils, Police Forces, and NHS locations, forming part of a growing network of sustainable EV charging infrastructure.

Related Projects

Surrey County Council

SCC’s growing electric vehicle fleet will be powered by Papilio3, supporting the council’s sustainability strategy. The solution was chosen to fulfill the urgent need for EV charging infrastructure at the site.

Merseyside Police

“The force’s target is to be Net Zero for all scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2040, and it is hoped exploring the use of technology such as this – which uses solar panels on its roof – will help us achieve that.”

Keith Dickinson - Director of Resources Merseyside Police