i+R Group creates the largest private network of charging stations
Lauterach, 17 February 2022 – i+R Group focuses on ecological renewal and expands the e-mobility charging network at 11 locations to a total of 50 e-charging points. The group now has the largest private array of charging stations in the Vorarlberg region. In 2021, 40 percent of the group’s newly registered passenger cars were electric. i+R Group furthermore generates 1.25 million kilowatt hours of green electricity from the company's own photovoltaic systems. This corresponds to about half of the electricity required at its Austrian locations.
i+R Group is well on the way to the energy revolution: "We put our first company photovoltaic systems into operation 25 years ago. These days, it is standard for new buildings and existing buildings are retrofitted wherever possible", says Joachim Alge, one of the two owners of the family business. Reinhard Schertler adds: "We have also hugely expanded our e-mobility in recent years".
Forty percent of newly passenger cars registered last year were electric; across all vehicle types, the figure is just under one third. In addition to cars, the group purchased two e-buses for construction site teams and apprentices as well as electric forklifts. The pool cars also run on electricity. A glance at the mileage reveals: 320,000 electric kilometres travelled in 2021 reduced our carbon footprint by around 55 tonnes of CO2.
Largest private charging network in Vorarlberg
"To continue along this path, we are currently investing half a million euros in a future-proof charging infrastructure and now have the largest private charging network in the region", says Reinhard Schertler.
The i+R mobility hub at the company's headquarters in Lauterach alone now has 25 normal charging stations for employees' and visitors' vehicles in addition to four fast chargers (hyperchargers each providing 75 kilowatts of power). The required charging power of 250 kilowatts is distributed via an intelligent load management system.
Green electricity from the company roof
i+R Group also promotes the use of its own buildings for photovoltaic systems. "Vehicle electrification must be accompanied by green electricity", insists Joachim Alge. "The green electricity produced last year by on-site photovoltaic systems throughout the group corresponds to the energy needs of around 400 households. Converted to e-mobility, this could amount to 5 million kilometres travelled using electricity."
Photovoltaic systems with a total output of 1.3 megawatt peak are in operation on the company's own buildings. In 2021, these systems generated 1.25 million kilowatt hours of green electricity. If the photovoltaic system is operated as a grid-tied system, part of the green electricity is used directly for business operations: up to 90 per cent of the energy generated is used to meet the energy needs of the company's own production and administration facilities at individual locations. Only the excess power generated, e.g. at the weekend, is fed into the public grid.
