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EcoCharge — Powering mobility, cutting carbon.
As electric vehicles (EVs) become more common among students and staff, campuses face a growing challenge: inadequate charging infrastructure. Existing setups often have long queues, inefficient energy use, and no integration with renewable energy sources. This discourages EV adoption, increases dependence on fossil-fuel vehicles, and creates avoidable downtime for students.
Current solutions and why they don’t work
Basic plug-in stations: First-come, first-served; no smart queueing or load balancing.
Paid public chargers: Expensive and far from campus, making them impractical for daily use.
Standalone solar charging pilots: Not integrated with demand management or campus energy grids.
These gaps make EV charging unreliable and unsustainable, reducing the incentives for greener mobility.
Proposed solution and why it works better
EcoCharge is a smart EV charging network designed specifically for campuses. It manages demand through real-time scheduling, integrates with rooftop solar or renewable energy inputs, and uses an app to optimize charging slots. Unlike conventional charging, EcoCharge ensures fair access, maximizes green energy usage, and provides transparent billing.
Who it benefits
Students & staff with EVs: reliable, scheduled, low-cost charging.
Campus sustainability teams: measurable carbon reduction data and energy optimization.
Administration: reduced grid dependency and smoother energy usage.
Community: cleaner air, lower emissions around campus.
Why this matters to me
As EV adoption grows, I’ve seen peers struggle with finding working chargers or waiting hours for a free slot. Solving this directly encourages sustainable transport on campus while saving time and reducing emissions.
Solution: what EcoCharge does?
EcoCharge combines IoT-enabled chargers with a campus energy app:
Smart charging stations: equipped with load sensors and programmable controllers.
App interface: lets users book slots, view availability, and get real-time updates.
Energy integration: prioritizes renewable energy usage, shifts charging to off-peak hours.
Admin dashboard: analytics on usage, carbon savings, and predictive maintenance.
Technical details (simple & deployable)
Hardware: IoT-enabled EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment) with RFID/QR authentication.
Connectivity: chargers linked to a central campus server over Wi‑Fi or LTE.
Backend: cloud-based scheduler with load-balancing algorithms.
App: React Native app for users + web dashboard for admins.
Energy layer: smart meters + solar inverters feeding into the system.
Minimum Viable Product
Phase 1: Install 3–4 smart chargers at high-demand hostels/parking areas. Launch with slot booking + basic load balancing.
Phase 2: Measure average wait times, renewable share of energy use, and charger utilization rates.
Phase 3: Expand to all major parking lots with 20+ chargers, integrate solar panels, and scale to dynamic energy pricing.
