According to the patent, the idea behind the new invention is to allow gas station customers to receive cryptocurrency in exchange for paying for an electric car charge.
The charging station is equipped with a mining module capable of generating Bitcoin and other digital coins.
To cool the station's equipment, it is proposed to equip the charging station with integrated cooling modules, similar to those found in mining rigs. The developers claim that the cryptocurrency mined in this way will partially offset the cost of charging the electric car. This could be beneficial for both companies and individuals who own such vehicles, the patent authors argue.
"The lack of developed infrastructure and the shortage of charging stations for public use have led to the development of a new technical solution that combines an electric vehicle charging station with the additional function of mining digital currencies," the developers announced.
The patent documentation includes calculations for a Tesla Model S: with a monthly mileage of 1,500 km, the car requires 300 kWh of electricity. At 6.2 rubles per kWh, including the cost of the charging station, the cost will be 2,600 rubles, while the equipment can mine 7,200 rubles worth of cryptocurrency. In theory, a Tesla owner could earn 4,400 rubles this way, according to the inventors.
According to Sergey Bezdelov, Director of the Russian Industrial Mining Association, the project is worthy of attention. However, even if Rozetki SPb manages to attract investors, the company will not be able to implement its solution, the expert told journalists.
"The development of such initiatives in Russia requires adherence to a clear legal framework. Legal entities engaged in digital asset mining are required to register with the Federal Tax Service's miner registry," Bezdelov recalled.
Andrey Loboda, economist and senior manager for communications in the field of digital currencies and industrial mining, told Delovoy Peterburg that the patent could be implemented, but only if it is legally regulated and has an effective communication strategy with investors and clients. The speaker noted that electricity consumption for Bitcoin mining should not exceed 6,000 kWh; otherwise, the miner will have to register with the Federal Tax Service's miner registry.