A new engineering assessment has shown that Charge-M8’s EV Kube modular composite foundation system can endure wind forces equivalent to severe tropical storms, achieving a structural safety factor approaching 2.0. The results have been independently confirmed through both computational modelling and mechanical analysis.
Charge-M8 has released the results of an independent study undertaken in partnership with the University of Manchester School of Engineering. The research confirms that EV Kube delivers structural performance comparable to conventional concrete foundations, while significantly reducing installation complexity, environmental impact and project delays linked to traditional construction methods.
Conducted through the Greater Manchester Growth Hub Innovation Scheme, the study incorporated two key areas of investigation. These included a structural load analysis assessing wind forces, vehicle impacts and soil conditions, alongside a detailed Computational Fluid Dynamics simulation examining how wind interacts with charging infrastructure under different speeds, directions and turbulence levels.
Testing conditions were intentionally rigorous, using a twin-charger configuration that combined an epark Engineering multi-post system with two NexBlue charging units. This configuration created a substantially larger wind-facing surface area than a typical single-charger installation.
The results indicate that EV Kube maintains structural stability under wind conditions equivalent to a severe tropical storm, achieving a safety factor close to 2.0. Stability was consistently demonstrated across all tested wind speeds, angles of approach and turbulence scenarios.
Further analysis confirmed that the system’s resisting moment exceeded overturning forces generated by both wind loading and simulated vehicle impacts. Performance remained reliable across a range of soil types and backfill methods, with all findings independently validated through advanced CFD analysis conducted by the University of Manchester team.
Julian Smith, Managing Director of Charge-M8, said: “The University of Manchester research gave us the independent, rigorous validation we needed to bring EV Kube to market with full confidence. We deliberately chose a challenging test configuration, twin chargers on a multi-post, because we wanted results that reflect the toughest real-world installations. The findings exceeded our expectations and confirm that structural performance, speed of installation, and environmental responsibility don’t have to be a trade-off.”
For contractors and infrastructure providers, the findings are particularly relevant. Conventional concrete foundations typically involve heavy equipment, wet installation processes, long curing periods and considerable disruption to site surfaces.
The study reinforces what is already emerging in practice: EV Kube eliminates many of these challenges without sacrificing structural performance.
Its modular and lightweight design allows for quicker deployment, removing the need for curing time, reducing excavation work, lowering transport demands and enabling easier installation across varied ground conditions. This versatility makes it well suited to locations such as car parks, retail forecourts and wider public infrastructure settings.
Charge-M8 has also confirmed plans for a further phase of testing later this year, involving a full-scale wind tunnel study in a facility capable of accommodating the system. This will complement existing CFD modelling with physical testing, demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to rigorous, evidence-based validation.
