Battery Swap Stations
Comercial. Kigali, Rwanda & Nairobi, Kenya. Completed. 2023
This initiative entails developing a modular and scalable battery swap station intended to serve as the foundation for a regional network established by an East African e-mobility company. These stations are required to meet specific criteria, including sustainability, cost-effectiveness, security, modularity, scalability, and ease of assembly and disassembly. Moreover, they must exhibit distinctive branding to attract clients and be adaptable to diverse contexts, encompassing varying terrains, climates, and business needs.
About Ampersand E-moto Battery Swap Stations
After conducting thorough research, which included spatial and performance analysis of existing stations, as well as workshops with e-mobility drivers and staff, we have developed a project that employs a lightweight three-dimensional steel structure constructed from reusable and locally available bolted steel hollow sections.
The primary structure can be easily deployed with minimal earthworks and practically no concrete. It will be prefabricated in a workshop, transported on a flatbed vehicle, and then assembled on-site with bolts for swift deployment and straightforward disassembly. The overarching structure is designed to accommodate battery charging modules or service units, adaptable to the client’s changing requirements and diverse contexts.
This station can be expanded in both length and width by adding roof and platform modules. It may feature sections for battery swapping, mechanical servicing, vehicle washing, and a waiting area for clients.
The roof utilizes triangular shapes within structural cubes to achieve optimal slope for rainwater drainage and heat dissipation. The design is flexible, allowing for different “skins” to suit various site conditions, making it suitable for deployment in diverse locations.
The station integrates the company’s color scheme and lighting to establish a brand identity and attract both existing and new clients. It incorporates transparency, translucent elements, and opacity to showcase the company’s swapping system, provide shade and rain protection, and allow natural light ingress and egress. This meticulously planned design ensures that the station is not only functional, sustainable, and comfortable but also visually appealing.
