ChargeUP
ChargeUP is an exercise in re-thinking how EV chargers could be implemented in our cities and towns. By producing a range of concepts for different use cases, our hope was to provoke conversation on a topic that seems important to the future of transport.
Services
Industrial Design
3D CAD Modelling
User Experience
Visualisation
Conceptual Thinking
We recently collaborated with industry partners on an EV Charging concept exploration, an initiative designed to push the boundaries of traditional thinking and offer our extended team greater freedom to innovate beyond conventional project models. Our goal was to address the ongoing challenge of providing sufficient charging infrastructure for the growing number of electric vehicles (EVs). ChargeUP seeks to revolutionize how mass EV charging can be integrated into contemporary suburban settings, where space is limited and existing infrastructure presents significant hurdles.
For many of us living in houses or apartments with street parking, owning an EV raises the question of how to conveniently charge it. This challenge is even more pronounced for local councils tasked with deploying high-volume EV charging solutions. The ChargeUP Pedestal is our proposed solution: a discreet, modular charging network designed for street use with on-demand pop-up access. It’s engineered for ease of use by street parkers and can be installed with minimal disruption through low-profile boring techniques, which also helps reduce installation costs.
Hiding In Plain Sight
The team’s second idea was to take advantage of existing infrastructure in cities by piggy-backing ChargeUP off the tram and train DC networks to enable efficient fast charging without having to build huge networks. We spoke to tram and train authorities and confirmed load capacity, we looked at available car park space and presented 2 options. The tram model, which is street based along local tram lines and the train model, which uses train station carparks adjacent to the line. Both systems draw power from the respective networks.
Home Sweet Home
The last system we looked at to complete the suite was a home based system, to allow consumers to easily install ChargeUP at home in their garage. This simple device helps complete the suite of products and provides home users with a familiar, reliable option that is easy to install and operate.
User Experience
Katapult is primarily an experience design group, working in all spheres of design to provide considered, fully fledged solutions for our clients. ChargeUP is no different.
To tie the entire ecosystem together we developed a sophisticated app that allows users to manage all aspects of the EV charging experience. The app provides real time information, seamless payment options and intelligent route planning to ensure a hassle-free charging experience.
