ZWICKAU – GERMANY
Model: DIVO H
Technology: S5
Date: October 2025
Client: TotalEnergies
Description:
TotalEnergies, a company active in the energy sector, is developing a network of high-power charging (HPC) stations in Germany, designed to provide electric vehicle drivers with a comprehensive and comfortable charging experience.
These Electric Vehicles (EV) Hubs, spread across 134 sites across eastern, central and western Germany combine rapid charging with public toilets and dining facilities, in order to make every stopping a moment of comfort and convenience.
This initiative is a part of a wider “Deutschlandnetz” project, launched by the German government to create a national network of HPC charging points powered entirely by renewable energy. The plan includes the installation of over 8,000 charging station across approximately 1,000 sites throughout the country, with the aim of ensuring consistent coverage all over the German territory.
In this framework, Prefabbricati Santerno cooperates with TotalEnergies to supply sixty modular structures destined to accommodate various services, as vending machines setups. SANO2, as a specialised division of Prefabbricati Santerno, is concerned with fabrication and setup of restrooms in the hubs.
The installation of a SANO2 self-cleaning public toilet in Zwickau marks an important milestone in this extensive project: it is in fact the first fully automatic public toilet for disabled users. The facility has been designed and built in accordance with the German regulation DIN 18040-2, that disciplines the standards to guarantee accessibility in full safety and autonomy. The chosen model is DIVO H. Equipped with S5 self-cleaning technology, it represents the most advanced evolution of SANO2’s products and it combines comfort, hygiene and functionality in one solution.
The operation of the facilities is entirely reliable thanks to the integration of professional PLCs (Programmable Logic Controller) for automation. These are devices typically used in the industrial sector and chosen by SANO2 for their precision and robustness. Unlike self- produced electronic boards in fact, PLCs ensures a constant monitoring, with resistance to humidity, vibration and impacts. This choice allows for constant regulation of temperature set points and certified control of all functions, providing a level of safety and stability comparable to the most advanced automation systems.
The climatic conditions in Zwickau ‒ marked by harsh winters ‒ made it necessary to adopt the Riscaldamento Pro heating system. It is an advanced solution which guarantees comfort and warmth even at temperatures ranging between -5°C and -10°C. The heating of the floors and toilet threshold prevents the doors from freezing, while the 1000-watt ceramic fan heater maintains a constant temperature in the technical rooms. Moreover, an automatic water discharge system prevents the pipes from freezing, ensuring uninterrupted service in all weather conditions.
Among the most noticeable characteristics of this installation, there is undoubtedly its green roof, a design choice combining environmental and aesthetic value. The structure features a basin-style roof ‒ designed to accommodate the planting of greenery. This expedient transforms the unit into a small ecosystem that blends harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. In an area mainly dedicated to electric mobility ‒ where asphalt and technological infrastructures dominate the scene ‒ the presence of a green roof introduces a natural note which mitigates visual impact and facilitates integration. In addition to its aesthetic value, the vegetation also serves a technical function: it improves the thermal insulation of the facility, reducing heat loss, and it also contributes to the absorption of fine dust particles, thereby helping to mitigate the ecological footprint of the installation.
As with all automatic public toilets, the core of functionality in Zwickau’s facility is its self-cleaning system, which ensures complete sanitisation of the toilet bowl, washbasin and floor after each use. In addition, during night hours, our SANO SAFE® device carries out an ozone-based sanitisation. This is a solution SANO2 has adopted as an alternative to the more limited sustainable alternative to UV-based sanitisation, which – to be truly effective – needs a direct exposure (rarely achievable in enclosed spaces like public toilets). Ozone, on the other hand, is a natural gas with strong oxidising powers. It penetrates every corner and guarantees a complete disinfection of both air and surfaces by neutralising bacteria, viruses, mould and foul odours without leaving chemical residues behind. This technology combines effectiveness and sustainability, contributing to maintain consistent hygiene standards even in highly-frequented contexts.
With this first public toilet installed in Zwickau, SANO2 and TotalEnergies are helping to redefine the very concept of a charging area: no longer just a place of transit, but a welcoming, safe and accessible space for everyone.
