Do you want to design a charging station for electric cars and would like to install a public toilet?
Or maybe you already have an active EV hub and are experiencing the most common limitation: people stop to charge but cannot find public toilets and it affects the overall experience negatively.
Today, electric vehicle charging stations are no longer simple “charging points”: they are rest areas, service spaces and true mobility hub. In modern EV hubs, especially high-power ones, charging time becomes time actually experienced by users: minutes of waiting that become an integral part of the travel experience. It is precisely in this dwell time that public toilets are no longer a minor detail and become a strategic element of the infrastructure. Comfort, safety, accessibility and hygiene directly contribute to the overall quality of the EV hub and to the perception of the service provided.
With this guide, at SANO2, as a specialised branch of Prefabbricati Santerno company, we support you in choosing the most suitable public toilets for EV charging station, focusing on self-cleaning solutions, accessibility and integration within the surrounding context.
A GUIDE FOR THE INSTALLATION OF PUBLIC TOILETS IN EV CHARGING STATIONS
Public toilets for EV charging stations: why they now are a “must” and not an “extra”?
Users of EV charging stations expect an easy and smart experience: they arrive, plug in the vehicle, wait and then continue the journey. However, those minutes of waiting time – especially along major transport routes, in shopping centers car parks, in suburban areas and high-power EV hubs – highlight immediate needs that affect how the service is perceived overall.
When there are no public toilets, users immediately notice. When they exist, but are dirty, vandalized or unavailable, the impact is even more negative: the station is perceived as incomplete, poorly maintained and less reliable. A self-cleaning public toilet which is correctly integrated into a charging station communicates care, quality and a conscious design of the rest area.
Which concrete advantages do SANO2 public toilets offer to EV charging stations?
SANO2 self-cleaning public toilets offer benefits for both operators and users:
- Hygiene granted 24 hours a day,
- Reduced water and energy consumption, in line with the environmental value of electric cars,
- Safe and easy toilet access, with no physical contact, via contactless payment,
- Reduction in operational costs and faster recovery of the initial investment,
- Respect of European laws on safety and accessibility.
Why is a self-cleaning public toilet particularly recommended for EV charging stations?
In EV hubs, waiting becomes part of the experience and the quality of public toilets matters. Self-cleaning public toilets guarantee a high hygiene standard after each use, reduce dependence from human intervention and maintain continuous service even at night or in high traffic contexts. Furthermore, these solutions align with the values of electric mobility thanks to their low water and energy consumption, and the use of durable and sustainable materials. A concrete example is the installation carried out in Zwickau, Germany, where we at SANO2 provided a self-cleaning public toilet for TotalEnergies at a busy charging station: the facility received no complaints regarding cleanliness, and ‒ thanks to lower daily operating costs – the initial investment was recouped more quickly.
Where to place a public toilet in a charging station to enhance usage, safety and perceived quality perception?
The position of a public toilet within an EV hub directly affects usage frequency, perceived safety and the reduction of vandalism risk. Public toilets that are difficult to find or located in an isolated area, are used less and can create operational criticalities. That is why it is crucial to install them in a well-lit area, seamlessly integrated into the overall layout of the stop.
At the same time, public toilets in a charging station must stand out for their immediate accessibility: they should be easy to spot and to reach, thanks to clear, universal signage, and, above all, intuitive to use. Users must be able to understand and operate them without hesitation or complicated instructions. Features such as universal icons, Braille on controls and audio signals for the hearing impaired make the experience safe and accessible for everyone.
How to manage misuse and ensure continuous service of toilets in EV charging hubs?
Charging stations, in particular those that are isolated or heavily used, can be subject to misuse and vandalism acts. In a context of continuous operation, a public toilet closed due to a fault or hygiene issues represents a service disruption for users and a loss to the value of the infrastructure.
Self-cleaning toilets are currently the most effective solution because:
- They guarantee continuous service
- They maintain a constant hygiene standard
- They reduce the effect of wrong behaviours
- They limit the need for frequent manual interventions.
Moreover, with SANO2, toilet management is even more efficient thanks to SANO2CONNECT®: a patented system which enables remote control of the toilets’ status, checking of notifications, scheduling of maintenance and reduction of unnecessary interventions, optimizing both time and costs.
Off-grid or self-cleaning toilets: which to choose for an EV charging station?
The choice between an off-grid public toilet and a self-cleaning one depends on the infrastructural context of the EV hub. In some cases, extending sewage, water or electricity connections can be complex or uneconomical, especially in extra-urban areas or temporary sites.
When the priority is to quickly provide a public toilet at a charging station without water and sewage connection, SANO2’s series S0 offers off-grid solutions, designed to function independently of water, sewage or even electricity networks.
Conversely, when utility networks are available, and connections can be made sustainably, self-cleaning toilets represent the ideal choice in terms of service quality, brand image and operational management:
- Series S4 is suitable for medium-to-high traffic contexts, offering a solid balance between investment and performance
- Series S5 is intended for high-intensity EV hubs, extensive networks and premium contexts, where reputation, innovation and operational control are key factors.
How important is to integrate additional services beyond public restrooms in EV hubs?
Alongside public toilets, it is useful to consider the inclusion of complementary services, designed as a part of a coordinated system, to enhance the user experience during the wait. These facilities and service spaces can be delivered turnkey by PARAS, or supplied as prefabricated shell units by STR, two other brands of Prefabbricati Santerno and may include:
- lounge and relax rooms, with benches and vending machines
- covered and fully fitted outdoor areas
- modules equipped with washing machine and dryer, designed for travellers and tourists
- PO boxes for shipping and pick-ups.
Solutions capable of turning waiting times into a useful experience that enhances the overall perception of the charging station.
The price of public toilets for charging stations: what really matters?
The cost of public toilets in electric charging stations does not fall within a standardised figure. It depends on the technology selected (e.g. self-cleaning), features provided, the level of customisation, local regulations and the complexity of the installation site.
For this reason, every SANO2 project begins with a specific analysis of the context and the customer’s objectives, with the aim of proposing a sustainable and efficient solution that is consistent with the overall design of the charging station.
Fill in the form below to receive an immediate, targeted and transparent quotation.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about SANO2 public toilets
What kinds of facilities and types of toilets can you provide?
We understand that each context has specific needs and requires bespoke solutions. That is why our range includes:
- Public Toilets that can be integrated into existing premises, ensuring maximum adaptability to the available space.
- Freestanding outdoor structures
- Off-grid Public Toilets, when sewer, water and electricity are not available
Our solutions are designed to meet every requirement: whether you need several toilets in a single room or individual toilets, at SANO2 we have the ideal project for your space.
Once you have defined the structure, choose the most suitable type of toilet: off-grid, traditional or self-cleaning, at SANO2 you will find each of these solutions and all the support you need.
I do not have sewage, water or electricity network. Can you provide me with off-grid public toilets?
Absolutely! Our S0 range of off-grid toilets is designed for areas that are far from water, sewerage and electricity networks. SANO2’s Bathroom Zero allows you to install a prefabricated toilet, accessible to disabled users, more durable than a chemical toilet and more versatile than a traditional bathroom. Bathroom Zero has a waste water tank to compensate for the lack of a sewer connection, a water storage tank connected to a rainwater collection system, and two photovoltaic panels to generate the electricity needed to light the facility. Off-grid solutions are highly valued by users for their added value as eco-friendly and sustainable restrooms.
When it comes to materials, fittings and finishes, you are spoilt for choice! Visit the design page of our projects!
With what kind of access can I setup the toilets?
Toilets access systems depend on customers and area of installation requirements, which is why we offer several options.
Access can be free or paid, coin-operated or contactless with Nayax readers (you decide how much to set!).
Again, you can choose the access system equipping the facilities with QR code or tax code reader or a EuroKey.
Do you want to buy a public toilet privately or do you want to respond to a public tender with your toilet project?
Whether you want to buy a public toilet as a private individual or you need a project for a tender, perhaps as a construction company, architect or town hall technician, at SANO2 we design public toilets of all kinds, from off-grid ones to self-cleaning models.
As a global company, one of our main values is respect for the installation context, the regulations in each country, and, above all, respect for the customers’ needs.
Tell us about your project, SANO2 will come to you and find solutions for all your needs.
Do you build Accessible Toilets for disabled users? Can I choose how to equip them?
At SANO2 we design, build and install Accessible Toilet And Unisex Toilet. Accessibility is a core value for us and has always been a part of our offering. As an international company, when we design and build toilets for people with disabilities, we always meticulously comply with regulations in force: each country has its own dimensions, equipment, access and measures specifically designed for safe use by people with reduced mobility.
Our public toilets are fully customisable, you choose the layout. For example, we can include instructions in Braille or record voice commands in the toilet, we can install the hand shower next to the toilet or include SOS buttons easily accessible from the toilet bowl.
You can rely on our experience in this industry and our knowledge of public toilet regulations for disabled users.
Can I get a maintenance contract for my toilet? How do you manage public toilets?
Of course you can! We guarantee our self-cleaning toilets maintenance through our All In service, which is an integral part of our offer. In addition, we can offer a variety of maintenance packages on request, depending on your specific needs.
Our All In maintenance service includes:
- Routine maintenance: cleaning and replenishment of consumables, typically scheduled twice a month
- Predictive maintenance: thanks to our powerful remote control tool we can intervene before components failure, reducing the time the toilet is inefficient.
- Technical maintenance: carried out by specialised technicians, it involves checking all the automatisms, usually scheduled once a month.
- Telephone assistance service: active on working days, we provide assistance and intervene remotelyon the units, solving most of the problems.
Do you have a warranty for your products? For how many years?
Yes, all our toilets are covered by a warranty. By law, the warranty on manufacturing defects is one year, but at SANO2 we have decided to extend it to 2 years to give you greater peace of mind and security in your investment.