Exeter students launch startup to install electric vehicle chargers in schools

Two University of Exeter students are building a business that could transform access to electric vehicle (EV) charging across schools, colleges and universities.

Business and Environment student Ruairi Duignan and Ammar El Beik, who studies Law with Business, launched their startup Turbo Zone in their first year at Exeter’s Penryn campus. 

Their company supplies and installs EV chargers for education providers, either through direct purchase or at no upfront cost with ongoing maintenance included.

Their first contract was with FX Plus, which manages services on Exeter’s Cornwall campuses. 

Since then, the pair have expanded nationally, securing partnerships with colleges and universities and overseeing installations such as the Herefordshire, Ludlow & North Shropshire College Group, where 14 chargers were rolled out across five campuses. 

Until now, none of the colleges had EV charging facilities.

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The startup grew out of support from the University of Exeter’s Student Startup and Incubator programme, which connected the duo with mentors who encouraged them to shift from manufacturing their own chargers to becoming value-added resellers.

Ruairi said the guidance proved vital: “It took us a whole summer to really get to grips with understanding how to sell and who we were directly selling to. The University’s support helped us refine our model and focus on what could really work.”

Both students have drawn on their studies to develop the business. Ammar’s legal knowledge has been key in managing contracts, while Ruairi’s focus on sustainability shaped the company’s mission.

The pair are now working towards a longer-term vision of creating a nationwide network of rapid EV chargers, operated like a petrol station model but for electric vehicles. They are currently raising funds for their first site.

Their achievements were recognised at the Student Entrepreneurship Awards, where Turbo Zone won the Environmental Impact Award.