London street lights pilot to enable electric vehicle charging
Thu 16 February 2017
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Three street lights in Kensington, central London, have been adapted to provide electric charge points as part of a trial set up by the Borough council in partnership with UK Power Networks and Ubitricity. The adaptation allows two local residents 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.
The pilot scheme in Onslow Gardens, Kensington, started in November 2016 and could accelerate the take-up of electric vehicles while helping the borough to tackle London's air pollution.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea says that 33 per cent of households in the borough have no access to off-street parking to charge an EV; and in inner London this rises to 46 per cent.
Councillor Tim Coleridge, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “A growing number of residents have made enquiries about the availability of electric vehicle charging points here in Kensington and Chelsea.
“The use of street lights as charging points provides electric vehicle owners and users charging opportunities closer to where they live and work. If this trial is successful we will look at exploring other opportunities for using street lights in this way.”
In December 2016, 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.
The London Borough of Hounslow is running a three-year trial, funded by TfL, to fit EV charging points to street lights in the borough. Residents must make a £250 contribution to take part and must indicate which is their favoured street light for adaptation. (More details.)
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