Helsinki Airport introduces a solution that combines digital outdoor advertising and charging of electric vehicles, the first of its kind in the world. The digital advertising charging station solves the investment problem related to the construction of a charging network by combining a commercial advertising display and one or two electric vehicle charging stations.
Charging infrastructure
The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council of EU adopted a general approach on the alternative fuels infrastructure directive. The directive includes, among other things, country-specific recommendations related to the construction of a recharging network for electric vehicles. When implemented with current drafted plans, the number of publicly accessible recharging points to be constructed in Finland would grow to 4000. In total, construction of over half a million publicly accessible recharging stations in the European Union is targeted.
For some time, Finland has been making preparations for the construction of the charging infrastructure, and there are ongoing projects to develop new technologies for the charging of electric vehicles. However, developing extensive infrastructure costs money, and finding business models has been challenging.
Digital advertising
Technology company Ensto and Symbicon, a manufacturer of digital display technology, have together developed a charging station that, besides charging the vehicles, shows digital advertising in order to cover the investment.
Located in public places, these charging stations therefore, provide a suitable advertising environment and enable creation of income for both private and public service providers. This profitable and modern media solution is being provided by out-of-home media company Clear Channel.
Finavia
Finavia, who operates Finland’s airports and air navigation systems, has contributed to promoting the use of electric vehicles at Helsinki Airport by equipping the first parking area with four charging stations. At the same time, the first charging station, combining digital advertising and the charging of electric vehicles, has been installed there.
“It is great and important that Finavia can be one of the first operators to offer electric-vehicle charging stations to airport passengers, in the airport’s P1 parking hall. In addition to electric vehicles we use at the airport and the renewal of our lighting technology, new, easy-to-use charging stations are an important part of ecological and environmentally responsible work we do,” says the airport company’s Vice-President Marko Tikkanen.
“The management of electric-vehicle charging stations is assigned in part to municipalities, but commercial operators are also needed. It is not commercially profitable to operate charging stations on their own, not even when they are used continuously. The operation requires other sources of income,” says Allan Ahlgren, Ensto’sDirector for EV charging solutions.
Clear Channel and Symbicon have created digital outdoor-advertising markets in Finland together for a long time. The strength of outdoor digital displays, by Symbicon, lies in their excellent design and display technology for demanding outdoor conditions, such as the climate in Finland.
“Our displays are suitable for outdoor use in all weather conditions without compromising the customization possibilities or appearance,” comments the CEO of Symbicon, Pasi Karppanen.
“The outdoor-advertising companies have long offered advertiser-funded services in Finland. Bus stops are an excellent example of this. The outdoor-advertising company takes care of the maintenance of the stop network and builds new bus stops in collaboration with the city or municipality. This way, the public services are financed with advertising profits. Part of the charging network for electric vehicles could be realized on a similar model,” says Clear Channel's Development Director Lassi Tolonen.
Sources of further information
Marko Tikkanen, Vice President, Finavia Corporation, Helsinki Airport
marko.tikkanen@finavia.fi, +358 20 708 3400
Allan Ahlgren, Director, EV charging solutions, Ensto
allan.ahlgren@ensto.com, +358 400 748 96
Pasi Karppanen, CEO, Symbicon
pasi.karppanen@symbicon, +358 40 300 4810
Lassi Tolonen, Development Director, Clear Channel
lassi.tolonen@clearchannel.fi, +358 040 523 0041
Ensto in brief
Ensto is a family business and international cleantech company specializing in the development, manufacture and marketing of electrical systems and supplies for the distribution of electrical power as well as electrical applications. We are committed to lasting sustainable development and our goal is to be the world’s leading company in green energy efficiency and distribution. Our products, manufactured in seven different countries, are environmentally friendly, energy efficient and leave a minimum carbon footprint.
Symbicon in brief.png "Symbicon")
Symbicon Ltd is an international designer and manufacturer of large LCD-based, digital IconOne® advertising and information displays, with products delivered to more than 30 countries. IconOne® displays have been specifically designed for demanding indoor and outdoor applications where extremely reliable and durable advertising and information displays for 24-hour use are required. Symbicon Ltd offers an extensive selection of one- and two-sided digital advertising and information display products for both indoor and outdoor use. The sizes of IconOne display range from 46" to 80" diagonal.
Clear Channel in brief
Clear Channel is the clear pioneer in the field of out-of-home media. The company offers advertising solutions for Finland's biggest cities, busiest shopping centers, and largest airport, and also for along Finland’s road network on national scale.
