With the installation of 103 public chargers in a shopping centre in central Santiago, Enel X plans to establish the second-largest charging hub in Latin America and the largest in the region.
The installation of this number of chargers in collaboration with Espacio Urbano not only represents a milestone in terms of quantity but also in the strategy behind their implementation: they will undertake a strategic alliance with a fleet of electric taxis for overnight charging.
This was announced by Arnau Muñoz, Deputy Manager of Maintenance and Innovation at Espacio Urbano, during Enel X Day.
The chargers will be located in the underground car parks of Espacio Urbano Las Rejas and will be operational from 29th May.
“The idea was to offer spaces whose daily operation in a shopping centre would not affect the customer and visitor experience,” Muñoz explained regarding the installation and timing.
Thus, a fleet of electric taxis can arrive at night, park, and charge their cars at 7.5 kW chargers each.
Before the shopping centre opens the next day, the taxis can leave and start their operation.
The chargers are located in the underground car parks of Espacio Urbano Las Rejas.
“We offer square metres that do not impact our daily operations but meet the growing demand for electric vehicle spaces in Chile,” said Muñoz.
He added: “The idea is to offer this service not only in the eastern sector, where there are more charging points today but also in sectors where it is more challenging to charge electric vehicles.”
It is worth noting that during the day, any user can use the chargers as they are publicly accessible.
What position do the regions occupy in terms of electromobility?
Espacio Urbano’s goal is to “decentralise” Santiago, taking advantage of the country’s geographical structure to provide opportunities for visitors, customers, and business partners in terms of chargers.
“We are partnering with last-mile fleets and electric taxis, and we are open to enhancing this growth in all regions,” Muñoz detailed.
Espacio Urbano has shopping centres from Antofagasta to Punta Arenas and is working to boost fast charging in these areas, as demand in the regions is increasing, especially in the south, in cities such as Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt, and Rancagua.
“We are convinced that our first charging hub will be a total success and we plan to replicate this initiative in other shopping centres in the regions,” announced the Deputy Manager.
The world’s southernmost fast charger
The first project that Espacio Urbano and Enel X carried out together was the installation of 13 fast chargers from Antofagasta to Punta Arenas, with the aim of enhancing not only Santiago but also the regions where they are strategically present with their shopping centres.
This involves infrastructure with 60 kW power, allowing a car to be charged almost to 100% in 40 minutes.
“The experience has been very positive for customers, neighbours, business partners, and last-mile companies, who have made intensive use of it due to its speed,” Muñoz revealed.
The fast charger in Punta Arenas became the southernmost in the world, enabling a strategic alliance with a last-mile company to facilitate their exclusive use of the charger at certain times, without impacting the experience of the shopping centre’s customers and visitors.
“This project has been very positive and pleasant. We will continue working together to keep improving our electromobility offering,” Muñoz affirmed.
Next up, the Enel X Day:
