Ecosystemic Episode # 6
Reinventing EV charging:
Powering the UK’s Campuses
From Student to Climate Tech Founder: A Journey of Electrifying Change
What drives a 21-year-old to take on the UK’s EV charging gap from a university dorm? Meet Ruairi Duignan, the co-founder of Turbo Zone, a student-led startup turning campuses into the power grid of the future.
While most see parking lots as asphalt and cars, Ruairi sees opportunity — a way to make electric mobility accessible, sustainable, and profitable. With a business mindset and environmental heart, he’s tackling one of the UK’s biggest sustainability challenges: EV infrastructure.
In this episode, Ruairi shares how Turbo Zone went from a classroom project to a growing clean-tech company providing fully funded charging solutions for educational institutions. From navigating grant systems to redefining how young entrepreneurs can lead climate innovation, his story is a blueprint for regeneration that pays off — for both people and the planet.
Ready to plug in to the future of sustainable mobility? Tune in to discover how student ambition can drive real-world impact — one campus at a time.
Key Takeaways
• Student-led innovation can drive real infrastructure change. Turbo Zone was founded by university students who saw a gap and built a scalable, funded solution.
• Sustainability must be profitable to be sustainable. Ruairi’s model proves that environmental action and economic sense can align.
• Partnership is power. Mentorship, grants, and collaboration are crucial for early-stage clean-tech ventures.
• The education sector is an untapped sustainability frontier. With millions of tonnes of annual emissions, schools and universities represent huge potential for impact.
• Patience and adaptability are key. In Ruairi’s words: “You can’t rush the grid, but you can build it smarter.”
