Streetlights in Kensington and Chelsea have been converted into charge points for electric vehicles under a new trial.

The partnership between UK Power Networks, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea enables EV drivers in Onslow Gardens, Kensington to charge their vehicles from a street light near their front door, and receive accurate bills for their electricity use via their smart phone or home PC.

Under the trial, UK Power Networks upgraded fuses at three charge points to allow more electricity to be safely drawn from the cable, making sure local electricity supplies remain safe and reliable.

Knut Hechtfischer, founder of Ubitricity, said: “Utilising existing street lighting assets to provide low power residential smart charging is a key component of any council’s residential on-street EV charging solution. Turning an existing street light into a charge point can be done in an hour or even less.”

The trial, which started in November, could be rolled out further if successful.

Mark Burton, from UK Power Networks, said: “This technology avoids the need to build new electricity network and makes better use of the cables, particularly in the daytime when the lights are switched off.

“This solution means we can monitor how much electricity is being used in order to maintain reliable electricity supplies as more EVs connect to our networks. It should also release more parking spaces currently set aside as dedicated EV charging bays, result in less street furniture and fewer excavations to install new charging points.”

In December the Department for Transport’s On Street Residential Grant Scheme (£2.5m), launched guidance for Local Authorities UK-wide to apply for funding for provision of charge points in residential areas, where there is a lack of off-street parking. Click here for details.

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