24th Ocober 2025 – 

BF Energy partner with Solarcycle to enhance NHS cycle shelters with 100% Solar powered e-bike chargers in Oxford.

24th October 2025 – BF Energy, the specialist energy consultancy are helping Oxford’s NHS Hospitals acheive green the hospital’s Active Travel and Green Plans. BF Energy specified Solarcycle’s NHS Approved e-bike chargers due to their affordability, proven NHS experience and data reporting features.

The latest E-bike charging facility in Oxford marks the 5th NHS site to join Solarcycle’s expanding network of 100% off-grid E-bike chargers and data is proving it to be a huge success.

BF Energy is the Oxford based energy specialist consultancy who have been advising, specifying and implementing leading sustainable solutions within the NHS for nearly 20 years and have contributed to over 1150 mWh’s being saved across the region. Solarcycle impressed BF Energy with it’s award-winning, off-grid, modular e-bike chargers which offer green, renewable energy for e-bikes, safely installed away from buildings and people.

The collaboration between BF Energy and Solarcycle directly addresses the growing switch to active travel in the UK. This partnership avoids the need for charging E-bikes inside buildings, which has proven problematic with some insurers and landlords. Solarcycle’s accessible e-bike charging, provides businesses and organisations like the NHS, with an innovative, safe, and environmentally sustainable solution. And the detailed CO2 analysis for scope 3 emissions reporting has helped inform both Solarcycle and the hospital of staff needs here and elsewhere in the country.

The hospital chose BF Energy to provide the double quarter shelter with Solarcycle’s e-bike charging at NHS Witney Hospital for its immediate environmental benefits and minimal disruption. With a solar-powered and off-grid operation, the charging of e-bikes requires no mains connection or trenchworks and ring-fences energy costs, whilst providing free e-bike charging for all staff.  The collaboration between the two NHS suppliers showcases Solarcycle’s pioneering innovation to evolve as many NHS Cycle shelters affordably into e-bike charging cycle hubs and support businesses like BF Energy and similar organisations in their decarbonisation plans.

The Solarcycle charger and flexible solar panels seamlessly integrate into the curved shelter to provide secure parking AND green energy for upto 28 standard e-bike charges every week. Using Solarcycle’s software dashboard, this data equates to around 840 miles of carbon emitting transport erased from the roads every week. According to Nimblefins ltd, a typical gasoline car produces around 216g of CO2 per mile in the UK, which means NHS staff at NHS Witney Community hospital are set to eliminate thousands of tons of CO2 this year.

With Solarcycle’s unique Reporting Function tracking the kWh of free, 100% renewable solar energy dispensed, it enables organisations to estimate how many carbonless miles have been generated by the organisation. As the only off-grid solar e-bike charging system with this feature, and numerous customers across UK and Europe, Solarcycle sets itself as the market leader.

Understanding the Benefits of Active Travel

Cost Savings for NHS Staff

The average cost of maintaining car is around £319 per month in the UK, plus an average price of between £100and £1000 for leasing/purchasing a car. From fuel costs to parking fees and congestion charges, commuting by car can be a significant financial burden for both employees and employers. In contrast, the ongoing costs associated with e-bikes, such as electricity for charging and periodic maintenance, are just 1p per mile. Moreover, initiatives such as the Cycle to Work scheme provide tax incentives and cost-effective financing options for employers looking to facilitate e-bike adoption among their staff. For example, the lease or purchase cost of an e-bike, compared to a car, is as low as £67 per month through organisations such as the “Green Commute Initiative“.

Cost benefits to the business include the well-being impact of active travel with increased productivity and reduced number of sick days. Absenteeism costs employers £258 per day and the average worker takes 4.5 days off a year, compared to 2.4 days for people who cycle. Regular exercise, even in the form of commuting, has been linked to reduced stress levels and better overall health. Encouraging employees to embrace active travel, particularly through e-bikes, can significantly improve their physical and mental well-being.

Meet CO2 Objectives

Commuting alone contributes to 98% of an individual’s work-related carbon footprint. As many as three million commuters travel as little as two kilometres to work, making an uptick in active travel one of the most actionable ways to drive down corporate emissions.
Businesses dedicated to creating sustainability reports can now easily prioritise assisting employees in switching to e-biking. This becomes particularly crucial with Scope 3 Contractual Emissions Reporting, which encompasses employee commuting, significantly influencing companies’ bids for new work.

E-bikes, when charged with Solarcycle, are the zero-emission mode of transport, emitting no greenhouse gases during operation. Solarcycle stands out in the market with its unique Reporting Function, which tracks the free-to-use, 100% renewable solar energy discharged in kWh and number of Kilometres travelled with zero emissions. This feature empowers organisations to monitor their progress towards sustainability goals and accurately measure their carbon impact.

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