Inverness hospital installs solar car park and EV charging hub

A pop-up solar car park and electric vehicle (EV) charging hub has been installed hub at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, Scotland.

The installation is the first of its kind to be operational in Scotland and gives hospital users access to 12 charge points supported by renewable energy.

The hospital already has its own fleet of EVs and the installation by 3ti is intended to support destination and workplace EV charging, while at the same time, addressing the growing demand for accessible and convenient charging in an area where long dwell times are common.

It is hoped the unit will encourage EV adoption in the area by providing affordable, low-carbon charging for everyone, regardless of access to off-street parking or geographic location.

The Papilio3 unit is built around a recycled shipping container and can be installed in under eight hours.

Brian Johnstone, Head of Energy, Environment and Sustainability at NHS Highland, said: “As part of our commitment to supporting the delivery of healthcare in the future, we understand that our environmental responsibilities go beyond our own services.

"As an organisation, we are looking to develop innovative ways to harness electricity and utilise renewable energy on-site which Papilio3 is a great example of. With the introduction of Papilio3, NHS Highland is now better positioned to support patients, staff and visitors with EVs at Raigmore. We hope that this investment in EV infrastructure helps to convince others to make the switch over to zero-emission vehicles.”