Maastricht, 6 September 2022

The transition to electric transport is in full swing, evidenced by the  Dutch Government’s aims for all passenger cars to be emission-free by 2030. To accelerate this transition and prevent further overloading of a  constrained National power grid, start-up Green Caravan in collaboration with Mobility Lab is launching the first fossil-free charging hub for electric cars and trucks in 2023 that operates completely independent of the power grid and runs on solar energy. When the sun is not shining, the hub switches to biogas produced from sewerage waste. This promising innovation reduces the pressure on the overstrained Dutch electricity grid. At the same time, they are seeking  to make fossil-free charging the norm, because green electricity from the grid is only partly ‘green’, that is, it depends on how and when it is produced. If there is no sun or wind, fossil fuels are predominately used to generate electricity, a fact that few may be aware of when charging and one that needs to be addressed with greater urgency if emissions are to be further reduced in today’s markets. You can invest in this innovation via Eyevestor.

Electricity grid not ready for wave of electric transport

Electricity from sustainable energy sources and emission-free driving are the future, but the electricity network is not currently equipped for this. The rise in the number of electric vehicles in all sectors has and will continue to  increase the demand for electricity Nationally, and in Limburg and Brabant it is currently  impossible to obtain new network connections for charging points. This is a matter of grid congestion. In addition, the electricity for charging is only partially green. Today, EV charging is impossible in most European countries without using fossil fuels. Approximately 61% of the electricity supplied through the grid in the first half of this year in the Netherlands was still produced using gas and coal. Sustainable driving is obviously a future goal that electric vehicles promise ; given that an electric car save up to 23 tonnes of CO2 emissions over its lifetime compared to a petrol car. But that same electric car saves no less than 37 tons of CO2 emissions when charged completely fossil-free. 

This 100% fossil-free fast charge point is the future

Founded in 2021, Green Caravan's mission is to further enable electric vehicles to become CO2 neutral by providing the option for truly fossil-free charging. They do this by offering smart-charging services and fossil-free charging solutions. After launching their EV charging card in 2021, the first charging card that tracks the CO2 emissions of charging sessions and provides advice on when to charge most fossil-free, this Autumn they are introducing their first fossil-free fast charging station, for use by cars, vans and trucks. Designed as  a shared use hub,  completely independent from the electricity grid, the site will run entirely on solar energy when possible. When the sun isn't shining, the hub switches generation to biogas, which would otherwise be flared at the site of production. This not only allows you to charge from 100% fossil-free electricity, it also avoids any additional burden on the already overloaded electricity network. This first charging hub can potentially serve up to 35 cars or 7 trucks per day. The ambition is to have 6 equivalent and scaleable hubs operational by the end of 2024. In order to realise the first charging hub, they are collaborating with Mobility Lab. Mobility Lab's aim is to improve mobility and make it more sustainable by investing in start-ups. 

Invest in fossil-free charging through sharefunding

In order to make the expected 30 million electric European vehicles actually 100% fossil free by 2030, they are looking for like-minded people in the energy transition to join the caravan. Through an equity based sharefunding model, they are also making it possible for both small or large investors to play a role in supporting Green Caravan’s vision. On the Eyevestor platform, companies and individuals can buy a share in Green Caravan and thus enable the expansion of fossil-free charging stations.

About Green Caravan

Green Caravan is an innovative start-up from Limburg, whose mission is to further enable all electric vehicles to become CO2-neutral by offering fossil-free charging as the norm. Green Caravan's products are the charging card with the associated app, which allows you to easily save CO2 emissions by smartly charging your electric car and the fossil-free charging hub for electric cars and trucks. Green Caravan is based in Maastricht.

Note for editors
For questions about this press release or interview requests, please contact Marlous van den Hoogen at T: +31621110894 or E: marlous@blyde.nl.