Working with JOLT to design and develop an electric vehicle (EV) roadside charging station, the main consumer-facing touchpoint for JOLT’s sophisticated sustainable EV charging network being introduced across Australia.

This project is one of two projects with JOLT in 2020, the charging stations offer free EV fast charging via both main charge types; CCS2 and CHAdeMO, with power supplied from 100% renewable energy sources.

The ‘enclosure’ type charging station was designed around Ausgrid’s energy distribution kiosk, an existing piece of urban infrastructure already located on roadsides all over Australia.

The project began with a range of concepts exploring clean and visually non-distracting forms, and opportunities around practical and human considerations and location-based custom configurations. Jolt and Ausgrid emphasised the potential to refresh the visual appeal of the original kiosks and modernise Australian urban environments.

In essence, the design is a series of external panels fixed to an internal chassis, which anchors to the base of the existing kiosk structure via a series of mounting brackets. The screen panel features a 75” LCD display, the design allows for ventilation and airflow through the unit to prevent the components inside from overheating.

Two main panel types are configurable to suit varying conditions and locations, design iterations were compared and optimised using dynamic thermal simulation. Both panels work to provide protection from weather and ingress of water, with specific sections being IP55 rated to protect the DC charging equipment and componentry housed within.

Final design reference documentation was prepared and exported for prototype and production with an engineering and manufacturing company based in Sydney.

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Project completed with Vert Design in 2020. Image credit - JOLT, Caity Duffus.