Trees are brilliant. They look nice, provide food and homes for animals, soak up carbon, produce oxygen and are very useful to hide under during a sudden rain shower. But here’s something trees can’t do: charge an electric car. Until now.
Say hello to the SolarBotanic Tree, which its makers call a “game-changing sustainable solution” to provide solar energy for EV charging in commercial locations – and could even be used to power houses in the future.
Get the latest electric news in your inbox: subscribe to our FREE newsletter
Okay, so it isn’t actually a tree at all. Instead, SolarBotanic has designed a five-metre tall, tree-shaped solar charging array featuring what it says is the world’s first 3D leaf-shaped photovoltaic nanotechnology. There’s also built in battery storage.
The firm claims a single tree can provide the electricity needs of an average household – but an early target is to offer solar power in ‘aesthetically sensitive’ commercial locations, such as car parks at airports and shopping centres.
The first-generation tree has an output of 5kW, but the firm is working on a second-generation version that is connected to the grid features an integrated EV rapid charger. As a result, the electric vehicle charging market – both for homes and business locations – is a key business focus.
SolarBotanic says that the first trees will be available early next year, with the second-generation version due in 2024. There are already plans for a third-generation version, due in 2025, which features a natural-looking tree canopy – with green solar panel leaves, so it looks like a real tree – and has built-in wind generation.
The SolarBotanic Tree has been in development for the last five years, with the firm working with the Co-Innovate business support programme at Brunel University London, the Manufacturing Technology Centre and the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.
READ MORE
Subscribe to the Move Electric newsletter
e-CARS
Video: Can the National Grid cope with a surge in electric vehicles?
e-BIKES
What to look for when buying an e-bike: Move Electric's top tips
The rise of Volt Bikes: 'when we launched, people thought we were mad'
e-MOTORBIKES
Maeving RM1 electric motorbike review
Q&A: Zapp founder on why electric mopeds are the future
Government plans 2035 ban on new non-zero emission motorbike sales
e-SCOOTERS
Tier to upgrade e-scooter fleet with a smart 'Parrot'
Q&A: Neuron Mobility's UK boss on e-scooters, safety and helmet selfies
e-WORLD
Polestar to supply battery tech to electric boat firm Candela
Engineering giant ABB working on electric Dover-Calais ferry