For millions of UK drivers, charging an electric vehicle at home isn't as simple as plugging into a charger on the driveway. Many homes, particularly in towns and cities, don't have access to off-street parking, creating one of the biggest challenges in the transition to electric vehicles.
Lamp post EV charging offers one potential solution.
By making use of existing street infrastructure, EV charge points can be integrated into lighting columns to provide convenient charging close to where people live, without necessarily introducing additional street furniture.
But how does lamp post EV charging actually work, and where is it most suitable?
Lamp post EV charging – sometimes referred to as lighting column EV charging – involves installing an EV charge point onto or alongside an existing street lighting column.
Rather than installing a completely separate charge point and associated street furniture, the charging hardware can make use of an asset that is already part of the streetscape.
For local authorities and charge point operators looking to expand residential charging provision, particularly in areas dominated by terraced housing, flats and properties without driveways, this can provide another option for increasing access to EV charging.
Street lighting columns already have an electrical supply, but this doesn't automatically mean that every lamp post can simply be converted into an EV charging point.
Before installation, the suitability of the column and its electrical supply needs to be assessed. Factors such as available electrical capacity, the condition and configuration of the existing infrastructure, parking arrangements and the physical location of the column all need to be considered.
Where the infrastructure is suitable, a dedicated EV charging unit can be integrated with the column to provide a controlled and managed connection for an electric vehicle.
Smart connectivity can then allow charging sessions to be monitored and managed through a charge point management system, depending on the requirements of the network operator.
One of the biggest advantages is the ability to make better use of infrastructure that is already present.
Installing traditional freestanding EV charge points can involve new foundations, cabling, groundworks and additional street furniture. In busy residential streets, finding appropriate locations can also be challenging.
Using existing lighting columns can help reduce the amount of additional infrastructure required and, importantly, limit unnecessary street clutter.
This is particularly relevant as councils look to increase the number of public and residential charge points while also considering accessibility and the amount of equipment being introduced onto pavements.
Is Lamp Post Charging Suitable for Every Street?
No – and this is an important consideration when planning a network.
Lamp post charging is one tool within a wider mix of public charging solutions.
The position of lighting columns, available power, parking restrictions, pavement width, accessibility requirements and expected charging demand can all influence whether it is appropriate for a particular location.
Some streets may be well suited to lighting column charging, while others may require standalone charge points or alternative charging infrastructure.
The objective should therefore be to choose the right solution for each location rather than applying one charging model across an entire area.
For local authorities, lamp post charging can provide an additional route to expanding residential EV charging without significantly changing the existing streetscape.
Potential benefits include:
It can be particularly effective when incorporated into a broader strategy that combines different types of AC charging infrastructure according to the needs of each location.
Ratio's io6 Street has been developed specifically for on-street EV charging applications.
The compact upto 7.4kW AC charge point can be retrofitted to suitable lighting columns, helping local authorities and charge point operators expand residential charging infrastructure while making use of existing street assets.
Manufactured in the UK, the io6 Street features a robust aluminium enclosure, IK10 impact resistance, anti-tamper protection and OCPP connectivity, providing a solution designed specifically for public environments.
As the UK's EV charging network continues to expand, making intelligent use of the infrastructure already around us could play an important role in ensuring more drivers have convenient access to charging – including those without a driveway.
Find out more about Ratio's Lamp Post Charger - io6 Street