Smappee EV Base charging solutions support ecological transition at AAROVA 

AAROVA celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023. The company specializes in customized work, providing employment opportunities to individuals distanced from the traditional job market. Their activities span workshops, on-site assignments, hospitality services, and even a locally recognized pasta brand, Pastati.

A growing social enterprise with sustainability goals

“Our social mission is at the heart of what we do,” explains Snauwaert. “But we also support it with ecological ambitions. Over the years, we have made gradual investments to make our operations more sustainable. We modernized all our lighting, installed solar panels on multiple rooftops, and now upgraded our charging infrastructure, aligning perfectly with our broader sustainability strategy.”

Seamless partnership with Groep Cnudde 

AAROVA has a long-standing partnership with Groep Cnudde, a family-owned company specializing in renovations, window and door installations, interior refurbishments, and technical solutions. 
“We’ve noticed that many clients now consider charging infrastructure as part of their renovation projects,” says Davy Cnudde. “That’s why, three years ago, we began searching for a reliable supplier.” 

Exceptional support and easy installation 

Groep Cnudde discovered Smappee through industry advertisements. “After gathering information, we decided to partner with them,” explains Davy Cnudde.

“We took an installation training course and quickly started working with their solutions.” 
“There are many reasons why we chose Smappee: they are a Belgian company producing high-quality solutions, and they take a socially responsible approach—many of their components are assembled by social enterprises Waak and Demival.

Their EV Base charging stations are user-friendly to install, and the technical support is outstanding. Communication with our contact person is always smooth and personal.” 

Scaling up fleet electrification 

AAROVA is actively electrifying its vehicle fleet. “We now have 18 electric company vehicles, including passenger cars and minibuses,” says Snauwaert. 

 
Two locations exclusively serve employees and visitors, using Smappee charge cards. A third site also allows public access. “Public use is still limited, but we expect demand to grow.  

Smappee’s software seamlessly handles third-party charging sessions, ensuring that at the start of each month, we receive a summary of our charging revenues. While public charging is not our main focus, it serves as an additional service to the community.” 

Advanced installation techniques for minimal disruption 

The EV Base charging infrastructure became operational on March 19, 2024, just in time for a royal visit from King Philippe and Queen Mathilde to AAROVA. 
“For the installation, we used guided drilling techniques for the cabling,” explains Thibo Cnudde, son of Davy. “This method is technically demanding but avoids disruptive excavation work, allowing for a faster and cleaner installation.” 

Optimized green energy charging 

AAROVA primarily charges its fleet using self-generated green energy. 

• AC charging points are sufficient, as vehicles are mainly used for short commutes. 

• Public DC fast chargers are already available nearby, eliminating the need for additional high-power installations. 

• The system prioritizes solar energy and dynamic tariff adjustments, ensuring vehicles charge at the most cost-effective and sustainable moments. 

A user-friendly and reliable charging management system 

Looking ahead, Groep Cnudde is eager to integrate Smappee charging solutions into more renovation projects. 
“The backend software automates all administrative and financial processes related to charging,” explains Smappee business developer Mario de Tier. “This allows businesses to focus on their core operations without worrying about charge point management. And if an issue does arise, Smappee provides fast and effective solutions.” 

Customer AAROVA
Country Belgium 
Industry Social enterprise – services 

Profile 

AAROVA provides customized employment opportunities for 330 target employees, supported by 55 supervisors and administrative staff. Their operations range from workshops and on-site assignments to hospitality services and a dedicated food brand. Since its founding in 1993, AAROVA has combined its social mission with ecological goals. 

Challenge 

To support the transition to an electric fleet, AAROVA needed a high-quality, scalable charging infrastructure across three locations. The solution had to be primarily for internal use, but one site also needed public access capabilities. 

Solution 

Groep Cnudde installed 28 Smappee EV Base charging points across three sites using guided drilling technology for a minimally invasive installation. 

• Employees charge their vehicles during working hours using Smappee charge cards. 
• Public charging sessions at one site are automatically managed through Smappee’s software, handling payments and usage data effortlessly. 

Results 

• Charging points powered by solar energy 
• 18 electric vehicles charged efficiently with optimized solar usage 
• Seamless automation for third-party charging revenue management