In the municipality of Karlskrona, a bold step was recently taken to invest in an electric vehicle pool. Despite high hopes, the fleet—consisting of both cars and bicycles—was not being utilized as much as anticipated. This prompted local officials to explore creative solutions to raise awareness and encourage more frequent use of these environmentally friendly modes of transportation.
That’s where Innoventum came into the picture.
The Giraffe in Karlskrona
The solution came in the form of a striking and uniquely designed renewable energy structure called the Giraffe. This eye-catching installation features a wooden frame supporting 24 solar panels and a wind turbine, standing proudly at 12 meters tall. The Giraffe was specifically chosen for its ability to blend harmoniously into an urban environment, while also standing out enough to draw attention.
When Kent Lindström from Karlskrona Municipality discovered our energy solutions, he was immediately inspired—especially by the Giraffe’s elegant and climate-neutral design. He quickly realized it could solve two challenges at once:
Ensure sustainable charging for electric vehicles using the Giraffe’s self-produced electricity.
Boost visibility and usage of the electric bike and car fleet by placing them under the Giraffe, whose distinctive design would naturally draw attention and interest from passersby.
The Result
The project turned out to be a true success story. By installing the Giraffe, the vehicle pool gained significant visual exposure—both among pedestrians and in the media. As a direct result, usage of the electric vehicle pool increased. This growing popularity enabled the municipality to expand the fleet to include more electric cars, bicycles, and cargo bikes, enhancing the project’s social and economic sustainability.
“We could never have hoped for this kind of result. Our goal was to achieve cost neutrality. Now we’ve increased utilization and actually reduced costs.”
— Kent Lindström, Project Manager & Head of Real Estate Assets Department, Karlskrona Municipality
In an interview with the Council for Sustainable Cities, Kent explained that cost neutrality was achieved in just ten months. After three years, the project has reduced operating costs by an impressive 30% compared to the previous fossil-fueled internal vehicle pool. Achieving both cost savings and increased usage was an outcome that initially seemed ambitious—but has now proven entirely feasible and successful, thanks to the Giraffe.