EV lamp post charging network to expand across Kensington and Chelsea

Kensington and Chelsea Council have announced a project with energy technology firm OVO and ubitricity to allow more residents to charge their vehicles through lamp posts.

The agreement will fast track the installation of an extra 50 SimpleSockets – ubitricity’s pioneering electric vehicle charging points, which draw 100 per cent renewable energy from street lamps across the Borough.

The technology was trialled by the council earlier this year and is now being expanded to further increase ubitricity’s electric vehicle charging capacity across central London.

The project – which will result in the largest charging network of its kind in central London– will be welcome news to half of Londoners who, according to research commissioned by OVO, are put off buying an electric vehicle due to a lack of charging facilities.

SimpleSockets will be conveniently located next to pay and display parking bays and available for use 24 hours a day. With a low tariff of £0.15 per kWh of electricity, running an electric vehicle will be affordable as well as accessible.

Cllr Gerard Hargreaves, Kensington and Chelsea Council lead member for transport, said: “There is growing demand for charging facilities and a growing number of electric vehicles in Kensington and Chelsea.

“Most residents do not have access to off-street parking to charge an electric vehicle. Retro-fitting street lamps with charging technology allows drivers to conveniently charge their vehicles closer to home, while helping to tackle air pollution in London.

“Lamp post charging is also more cost-effective and much less obtrusive as the charging points require no additional street furniture. The Council is grateful for the support from OLEV from their Onstreet Residential Chargepoint Scheme.”