In cooperation with the students of the faculty of architecture and design, we are looking for the best solution for charging electric cars as a part of public space

AgeVolt's aim is to bring to market a solution that removes common concerns about charging availability and range, but is also sustainable from a competitive environment and a stable energy grid. It also gives space to young students of design to realize their visions and participate in the innovative creation of e-mobility. 

Electromobility is one of the top topics not only in the context of the decarbonization of transport, but also in connection with electrification and the technological revival of Europe. Europe can once again be a leader given the financial strength of European car manufacturers and their ability to turn research and development into strategic innovation. In connection with electrification, there is also a great chance for the development of the technological and energy sector. Emerging companies are expected to take advantage of new opportunities, while established companies may be more likely to use the change to transform their business. 

Despite the general intention of the European Commission to support electromobility, weak political support at the local level is evident, as well as many concerns of the lay and professional public, mainly related to concerns about range, charging electric cars, price, energy stability and disposal of old batteries. 

"The solution to realize such an intention is a massive expansion of simple and affordable charging stations with coverage of at least 35% of parking spaces in cities and municipalities, while these will be the property of city residents, commercial establishments, cities, municipalities and others. They will provide a charging service through a shared portal in a simple way (similar to Airbnb)," said the founder of AgeVolt, Ján Zuštiak. "At the same time, the platform will ensure that electric cars during charging serve as a regulatory tool for the electrical network, thereby achieving regulation of the electrical network. By influencing the seemingly small performance of one vehicle on a mass scale, it will ensure sufficient regulatory potential even with the penetration of electric cars at the level of 10-15% of the total number of vehicles in Slovakia and Europe," adds Zuštiak. 

However, such a mass expansion also brings with it the need to occupy public space and will affect the visual character of public space in a significant way. "As part of a responsible social approach at AgeVolt, we not only bring an ecologically, technologically and financially sustainable solution, but we also care about the quality of life in cities," says Jozef Ťapajna, Head of Product Development at AgeVolt, who, in cooperation with the Faculty of Architecture and Design of STU in the form of a student prepared the competition. 

"The purpose of this competition is to bring new solutions proposals from students of the Faculty of Architecture and Design of STU, who are not afraid of innovation and are inclined towards the mobility of the future. At the same time, the proposals should respect the urban design of the cities and act as part of the public space, which they would suitably complement or transform in an acceptable way," explains Ťapajna. 

The assignment of the competition is a charging station, the design of which respects the architectural and urbanistic values of the city and the given location. The subject of the competition is the processing of the design and construction proposal of the charging station as: 

– Part of the architectural and urban design of the territory 

– Idea solution of the charging concept – proposed material solution for mass expansion (35% of parking spaces) 

  The results of the competition will be known already at the beginning of 2022, and the evaluation criteria will be, in addition to the quality of the design proposal, its originality or feasibility, as well as an emphasis on recycled or recyclable materials, multiplicity and technical solution. 

This competition is only the first step of mutually beneficial cooperation between AgeVolt and the Faculty of Architecture and Design of STU, on which both parties agreed today by signing the Framework Cooperation Agreement. 

"The Faculty of Architecture and Design of STU educates the best architects, urban planners and designers whose work contributes to the improvement of the environment. Our graduates work in the world's best architectural and design studios. The offered study programs are connected with practice, with the possibility of gaining valuable experience already during the course of study. I believe that our students will contribute not only with high-quality proposals in this competition, but that with their creations they will also help the overall shaping of cities and the environment that surrounds us," assesses prof. Ing. arch. Pavel Gregor, PhD., dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Design of STU in Bratislava. 

The aim of the cooperation is to mutually promote the activity and professional results of research and development in the field of architecture, urbanism and product design with an emphasis on sustainability, energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Linking theory with practice will contribute to improving the quality of university education.