How Kempower helped to build the largest charging hub in the Baltics at SC Akropolis Kaunas shopping mall
In Spring 2024 Eleport opened the biggest charging hub in the Baltics at the SC Akropolis shopping mall in Kaunas, Lithuania. The new site, which features 12 Kempower Double Satellites, is a flagship project for Lithuania, demonstrating the benefits of retail charging.
Over the past two years, the number of EVs on Lithuanian roads has increased by 50 percent, yet its charging infrastructure lags behind other European countries, ranking third-last in the EU league tables when it comes to charging point to EV ratio. To boost e-mobility in Lithuania, the country needs more widespread EV charging infrastructure, which is what Newsec, the property manager of SC Akropolis Kaunas, aims to achieve with its plans for retail charging at the shopping mall.
Putting EV driver needs at the forefront
Up to 24 EVs can be charged at any one time via DC fast charging at the SC Akropolis Kaunas shopping mall using one of the 12 Kempower Double Satellites, which can be found at one of three charging locations since the launch of the first phase of the project in May 2024. Each 400kW Kempower Double Satellite offers two outputs and distributes power dynamically, optimizing charging speed, reducing queuing times and maximizing the availability of chargers for EV drivers.
Furthermore, each charger comes with an intuitive user design to guide EV drivers, including a QR code functionality that allows drivers to see the charging status on their phone while they explore the 220 shops, cafés, restaurants, services and entertainment venues at the site at their leisure while their vehicle charges.
“We have already driven the growth of retail charging in Northern Europe, so we are pleased to contribute to this drive in the Baltics too. We know from our experience in retail charging projects in the Nordics and UK that for retail charging to become the norm, the charging experience should be as easy, smooth and intuitive as possible. Charging an EV should be a relaxing experience – from arriving at the charging point to driving away. We combine our high reliability standards and intuitive user design to ensure an excellent user experience for all EV drivers who use Kempower chargers,” explained Erik Kanerva, Director of Sales North Europe at Kempower.
When designing an EV charging site, you have to adapt the charging experience to the location,” added Kazys Pupinis, Eleport Lithuania Country Manager. “This is not a highway, where drivers only want to spend 15 minutes charging, nor is it a home or office charging scenario where EVs can charge for six to eight hours. We had to find the middle ground. That’s why we divided the charging hub into three locations, with each location offering 400kW via four Kempower Double Satellites, meaning eight cars can charge at any one time.”
In addition to slashing emissions in line with Lithuania’s target to reduce emissions by 21% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels, SC Akropolis Kaunas charging site also lowers local pollution. By encouraging the use of EVs, it will also help reduce noise pollution in the area, contributing to a pleasant shopping experience for local shoppers.
Sustainable benefits of EV charging availability on a local and national scale
Additionally, as SC Akropolis has a big presence in the city of Kaunas, the new largest charging hub in the Baltics will act as an example of how to install charging infrastructure at existing retail sites, and will serve as a model for future retail charging sites across Lithuania, the Baltics and worldwide as other shopping malls compete to offer extra facilities like EV charging at their sites.
60% of visitors to SC Akropolis Kaunas arrive by car, so as the number of electric cars in the city increases, we have seen strong demand for more charging stations at the site. Being an attraction in a very convenient central location, close to one of the main transport arteries of the city, SC Akropolis is the ideal place for this ambitious project. Moreover, by installing the largest electric car charging park in the Baltics, we have not only met the needs of today’s visitors, but we are also setting a new standard for the future,” explained Brigita Kuodytė, Manager of SC Akropolis Kaunas.
“The collaboration between all partners involved was important to the success of this project,” added Martins Stirans, Business Development Manager for Baltics. “Our Kempower team has already worked with Eleport as part of a project to boost Estonia’s EV charging infrastructure by installing charging stations in 25 locations across the country. Newsec, the property manager of SC Akropolis Kaunas, factored in this legacy of success in the Baltics when partnering with Eleport. Our strong relationship and shared vision of boosting Baltics infrastructure made this project succeed.”
A future-proof charging site for an electrified future
While 24 DC fast charging outputs easily serve the current flow of EVs passing through the site, as EV ownership grows in Lithuania an increasing number of EV customers are expected to visit SC Akropolis Kaunas in the future. Eleport has therefore already planned to install more DC charging stations within the next decade, bringing the total investment in the project to nearly 1 million euros.
The scalability of the site is made possible due to the compact size of the Kempower Satellite chargers, which boast one of the smallest footprints on the market. They can be placed up to 80 meters away from the Kempower Power Unit, giving design flexibility. Finally, Kempower chargers are all modularly scalable, meaning that chargers can be added or upgraded without disruption.
“The most important elements for an EV driver at a charging point are convenience, reliability, and as seamless an experience as possible. This is what we wanted to show to the EV community, and I believe this is what we’ve achieved with Kempower,” summarized Kazys Pupinis, Eleport Lithuania Country Manager.
