ENGIE Romania launches, together with EFdeN, rCharge charging stations for electric scooters and bicycles, powered by solar energy and designed from recycled materials. The project is carried out with the aim of bringing to the public’s attention green solutions for the production and use of electricity.

Starting from June 9, two charging stations for bicycles and electric scooters will be located in Bucharest: one at the entrance to the Izvor park, near the metro station, this being open to the general public and a second one, within the campus of the Faculty of Engineering of Installations, from Bd. Pache Protopopescu, no. 66, available to students of the faculty.

The original idea of the project belongs to a group of young professionals from ENGIE Romania, as a result of winning an internal competition, and was implemented by student volunteers of the EFdeN organization, with whom the company has developed several sustainability projects over time.

The green energy rCharge stations are made from recycled materials. They are built from recycled modular containers, the materials used are environmentally friendly, and the interior walls are finished from wood scraps or recycled wood from pallets and plywood. Charging of electric scooters and bicycles is done with green electricity, produced with the help of bifacial photovoltaic panels installed on the roof of the station. The green electricity produced is stored in recycled and refurbished car batteries specially for this project.

The green energy rCharge station offers users an environmentally friendly experience by:

• Access to green energy, produced with the help of bifacial photovoltaic panels, for charging electric bicycles/scooters;
• Integrating the concept of circular economy through the use of recycled materials in the construction of the station, the recovery of rainwater and its reuse for the irrigation of the plants in the station, the selective collection of waste in the containers provided;
• Development of a digital solution, a dedicated application, Charge here, through which those interested can reserve their place for charging and have access, in real time, to information on the availability of the 6 charging points. The Charge here application can be downloaded from Google Play, for devices with an Android operating system;
• Creating a collaborative work space, powered by green electricity;
• Educational content through informative display about the features of the station and highlighting the sustainability aspects.

“Reducing the impact on the environment is a priority of ENGIE Romania’s strategy and, in this context, we attach significant importance to the development of solutions with low carbon emissions. The launch of this project supports this ambition and has the role of giving the general public access to sustainable solutions for the production of green electricity and alternative mobility,” said Nicolas Richard, CEO of ENGIE Romania.

“rCharge with green energy is not only a concept that promotes urban mobility, but is the result of a multidisciplinary and multi-sector collaboration, so important to solve the complex problems we face today. Together with our partner, ENGIE Romania, we contributed to the development and implementation of the concept, and with the support of the General City Hall of the Capital through the Bucharest Lakes Parks and Leisure Administration, we selected the most suitable space for the location of the station,” said Corina Fugaru, EFdeN Project Director.