Local authorities in England can now install 5kW charge points on older lampposts with thinner cables. UK Power Networks changed its rules after working with Shell Ubitricity to check if it was safe.
Before this, some towns on England's south coast couldn't put chargers on older lampposts. Now, 133 local councils in UK Power Networks' area can add these chargers.
The government wants to help install more chargers through its Local EV Infrastructure Fund. This is good news for EV drivers who can't charge at home. Up to 60% of people in towns and cities might be in this situation.
Mark Adolphus from UK Power Networks said:
"This is great news for customers and lights the way for a vast swathe of new electric vehicle charging stations across the region we serve. It underlines the importance of networks collaborating with the wider energy industry to ensure they can deliver with confidence and certainty."
Stuart Wilson from Ubitricity added:
"Lamppost charging helps local authorities to roll out charging infrastructure at scale and allows EV drivers to charge their cars close to home. Over eight million households in the UK do not have access to off-street parking and without strong public EV charging infrastructure, there is a legitimate concern that people without a driveway will be left behind in the transition to electric vehicles in the UK. This is great news for EV drivers and we are proud to have collaborated with UK Power Networks on this guidance."
Lamppost chargers are a cost-effective way to add charging points. With £1 million, a council could install 700-800 lamppost chargers. The same money would only buy 60-75 fast dual charge points or 20-25 rapid single charge points.
Local councils own and run the streetlights, while companies like UK Power Networks supply the power. Ubitricity, now the UK's biggest public charge point operator, runs many of these lamppost chargers.
Source: fleetworld