An electric vehicle charging revolution could be underway after UK Power Networks revises guidance to give the green light to use lamp posts to power up.
A series of studies undertaken by the distribution network operator has proven 5kW charge points can be installed even on older lamp posts which have thinner cabling than more modern installations.
UK Power Networks worked closely with the UK’s largest public charge point operator, Shell ubitricity to undertake technical assessments, and has now updated its technical guidance to give confidence to the energy industry to deliver a large-scale roll-out of lamp post charging.
The study came after some local authorities on the South Coast of England were ordered to stop installing lamp post chargers on older legacy columns with different wiring. Local authorities own and operate streetlights, with distribution network operators like UK Power Networks delivering the power to them.
The revised guidance is expected to help electric vehicle owners in towns and cities, where it is estimated that up to 60% of people do not have access to off-street parking. It will give all 133 local authorities operating in the area UK Power Networks serves the green light to connect faster 5kW charge points to their lamp posts.
Local authorities will also now be able to push ahead with their plans to increase the number of chargers through the government’s Local EV Infrastructure Fund. ubitricity internally estimates that for a budget of £1 million, local authorities could roll out 700-800 lamp post chargers compared to 60-75 Fast Dual charge points (7-22kW) or 20-25 Rapid Single charge points.
The UK government’s electric vehicle infrastructure strategy states that by 2030 between 300,000 and 700,000 public charge points will be needed to serve up to 10 million electric vehicles forecasted to be on the nation’s roads.
Mark Adolphus, Director of Connections at UK Power Networks says, “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.”
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