Integrating Polkadot Blockchain for Decentralized Electric Vehicle Charging Network

Introduction

ZAP2GO is a decentralized community-driven EV charging network that enables individuals and businesses to easily rent out their home charging stations through a cental sharing app, similar to AirBNB and Uber, allowing you to transform your idle home charger into an income source. This approach not only helps increase the availability of charing points in high dense areas but also provides a transparent and efficient solution for electric vehicle charging.

By addressing the shortage of public charging stations this way, we contribute to accelerating the transition to electric mobility, resulting in lower emissions and a cleaner environment. Furthermore, ZAP2GO helps foster the sharing economy. We are the the first-to-market with this concept in the Benelux.

To use ZAP2GO charging stations, users simply download the app, sign up, and browse the available charging stations in their area. Once they find a suitable charger, they can simply drive to the destination and plug in. Payments are made via an in-app wallet system, which is currently implemented in the form of a fiat gateway.

Listing charging stations for rental on ZAP2GO is free, there are no setup costs involved. Zap2Go gives renters full control over your charger's availability and charging rates. Rates and schedule can easily be adjusted through the app. ZAP2GO supports various charging stations and connectors. We provide guidelines and compatibility checks during the listing process to ensure smooth charging experiences for both owners and renters.

A charging station that wants to join the ZAP2GO network must support the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP). OCPP is a communication protocol specially designed for exchanging data between charging stations and charging management systems.

In its current state, ZAP2GO is in BETA access for testing. This means that the first version is listed on the Android Play Store, though no marketing has yet begun. The app is fully functional, and already allows for the renting of charging stations.

To enhance the platform's capabilities, we propose the integration of the Polkadot blockchain, bringing decentralized and trustless features to electric vehicle charging.

Project Description

Currently all electric vehicle charging networks are centralized, and owned by large corporations. Users face barriers related to lack of transparency with charging rates, and the need for a more eco-friendly approach. This proposal addresses these challenges by leveraging the Polkadot blockchain.

The integration of Polkadot blockchain into the current proof-of-concept ZAP2GO platform will introduce several key features:

Decentralization of EV Charging

Leverage the Polkadot blockchain to decentralize the EV charging infrastructure, ensuring a distributed and resilient network that aligns with the ethos of blockchain technology.

Cryptocurrency Payment Support:

Enable users to pay for charging sessions using Polkadot's native DOT token or stablecoins like USDC, providing a seamless and decentralized payment option by developing a Polkadot wallet directly in the app.

Trustless Renting:

Implement functionality to facilitate trustless renting out of EV charge points, ensuring secure and transparent transactions between charger owners and users.

Green Initiative on Polkadot:

Extend the green initiative to the Polkadot community by promoting sustainable and eco-friendly practices in EV charging. Encourage the use of electric vehicles as part of a broader environmental strategy.

Funding Allocation:

Total requested funding: 38,460 DOT

Development of Polkadot Wallet Integration (64%):

Budget: $160,000 (24,615 DOT)

Allocate funds for developers to implement native Polkadot wallet integration for seamless deposits and withdraws of DOT and USDC within the ZAP2GO app.

User Interface (UI):

Design a user flow for wallet creation in Figma, ensuring a smooth onboarding experience.
Design and implement a user-friendly interface for wallet-related functionalities.
Create UI elements for depositing and withdrawing funds.
Implement a real-time balance display to show users their current holdings in DOT and USDC.
Implement the front-end logic to facilitate the deposit of DOT and USDC into the user's wallet.
Implement the front-end logic for users to withdraw DOT and USDC from their wallet.
Develop a transaction history page displaying a chronological list of user transactions. Include details such as transaction type, amount, and timestamp for transparency.

Server-Side Integration:

Set up server-side integration to communicate with the Polkadot network via Polkadot-SDK.
Develop API end-points for interacting with Polkadot-SDK.
Implement logic to process deposit and withdrawal transactions on the server.
Integrate Polkadot APIs to create a service for transaction submission and confirmation.
Develop mechanisms to update user balances in the database in real-time.

Security Measures:

Conduct thorough integration testing and audit to protect user funds and information.

Marketing Campaigns (24%):

Budget: $60,000 (9,230 DOT)

Invest in targeted marketing campaigns to create awareness about ZAP2GO's integration with Polkadot. Allocate funds for Google Ads, social media promotions, and press releases to reach a broader audience.

Keyword Research:

Conduct thorough keyword research related to EV charging, Polkadot, and sustainable practices.
Identify high-search-volume keywords to maximize visibility.

Ad Design and Copywriting:

Design visually appealing Google Ads banners that highlight ZAP2GO's Polkadot integration.
Craft compelling ad copy that communicates the benefits of using ZAP2GO for EV charging.

Campaign Setup:

Set up Google Ads campaigns with specific ad groups for different target audiences.
Implement tracking parameters for monitoring campaign performance.

Media Outreach:

Identify relevant media outlets, journalists, and bloggers covering topics related to EV charging, blockchain, and green initiatives.
Conduct personalized outreach to share the press kit and pitch ZAP2GO's story.

Application Launch and Development on Apple App Store (12%):

Budget: $30,000 (4,615 DOT)

Cover the costs associated with the development, testing, and launch of the ZAP2GO application on the Apple App Store, ensuring a smooth and user-friendly experience for iOS users.

Port the ionic application over to iOS.
Conduct testing to ensure the application functions across various iOS devices and versions.
Review and ensure compliance with Apple's App Store guidelines. Address any issues or requirements outlined by Apple during the submission process.
Design screenshots for the store page.

Timeline:

Development of Polkadot integration: 6 months Marketing Campaigns: Focus on the launch period, expected to run for 2 months. iOS Launch: 2 months after the completion of Polkadot integration.

Expected Benefits:

Positive environmental impact by promoting green practices within the Polkadot community.
Enhanced user experience with decentralized payment options.
Increased adoption of decentralized EV charging through a trustless and transparent platform.
Real world product and use-case.

Team and previous work:

Last year decentraDOT received a grant via the web3 foundation for building a Polkadot validator dashboard. After 3 months of development all milestones were delivered and accepted.

For more details: Cyclops Grant

Team members

Arthur Hoeke (team leader, full-stack developer) LinkedIn

Johan Hoeke (UNIX SysAdmin) LinkedIn

Team's experience

Arthur Hoeke is a seasoned full-stack software developer with over 7 years of experience in developing web and software products. He has specialized in web development and blockchain technology and has a track record of working on various projects.

Johan Hoeke is an experienced Unix SysAdmin with over 16 years of experience working for Tilburg University in Holland. He is a highly skilled professional with a strong service-oriented mindset and an extensive background in problem-solving using open source solutions.

Johan is a Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) and has a deep understanding of Unix-based systems, with expertise in system administration, security, network architecture, and high availability solutions.

For more details visit decentraDOT.com

Contact Name: Arthur Hoeke

Contact Email: [email protected]

Legal Structure

Registered Address: Kea boumanstraat 74, Tilburg, The Netherlands

Registered Legal Entity: decentraDOT (KVK 85801925)