Older lampposts can be used for EV charging, study finds

^{Image credit: UK Power Networks.}

UK Power Networks has revised guidance to approve the use lamp posts to charge electric vehicles (EVs).

A series of studies undertaken by the distribution network operator for London, the South and East of England has proven 5kW chargepoints 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 in an effort to give confidence to the energy industry to deliver a large-scale roll-out of lamp post charging.

Mark Adolphus, director of connections at 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.”

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 per cent of people do not have access to off-street parking. 

Local authorities will now be able to push ahead with their plans to increase the number of chargers through the government’s Local EV Infrastructure Fund. 

The UK government’s electric vehicle infrastructure strategy states that by 2030 between 300,000 and 700,000 public chargepoints will be needed to serve up to 10 million electric vehicles forecasted to be on the nation’s roads.