Motorists get green light to charge with lamp posts

The updated guidance, based on extensive studies conducted by the distribution network operator for London, the South, and East of England, confirms that 5kW charge points can now be installed on older lamp posts, even those with thinner cabling compared to more modern installations.

UK Power Networks collaborated with Shell ubitricity, a UK public charge point operator, to carry out the technical assessments. The result is a revised set of guidelines that instils confidence in the energy industry to move forward with large-scale lamp post charging projects.

This development follows a halt in installations on older lamp posts in some areas along the South Coast of England, where local authorities were instructed to stop rolling out chargers due to concerns over wiring. With streetlights owned and operated by local authorities, and the power supplied by distribution network operators like UK Power Networks, the new guidelines represent a significant step towards resolving this issue.

The revised guidance is set to benefit EV drivers in urban areas, where up to 60% of residents lack access to off-street parking. The green light from UK Power Networks will enable all 133 local authorities within its service area to install faster 5kW charge points on their lamp posts, offering a practical solution for those without private parking facilities.

Local authorities can now also accelerate their plans to expand charging infrastructure through the government’s Local EV Infrastructure Fund. Shell ubitricity has estimated that, for a budget of £1 million, authorities could install 700-800 lamp post chargers. By comparison, the same budget would only cover 60-75 Fast Dual charge points (7-22kW) or 20-25 Rapid Single charge points.

According to the UK government’s electric vehicle infrastructure strategy, up to 700,000 public charge points will be required by 2030 to meet the demand of an estimated 10 million EVs on the roads.

Mark Adolphus, Director of Connections at UK Power Networks, commented: “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, Market Unit Lead at ubitricity, added: “Lamp post charging helps local authorities to roll out charging infrastructure at scale and allows EV drivers to charge their cars close to home. Over 8 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.”

This revision marks a significant move towards supporting the EV transition, particularly for residents in towns and cities who rely on public charging infrastructure.