Clearance given for EV chargers to be installed on old lamp posts

By revising their guidance on installing EV charge points on lamp posts, UK Power Networks has opened the door for the installation of 5kW chargers on older lamp posts, which employ thinner cabling.

UK Power Networks, the distribution network operator for London, the South and East of England, collaborated with the UK’s largest public charge point operator, Shell ubitricity, in examining the possibility of such a conversion, after local authorities on the South Coast of England were ordered to stop installing lamp post chargers on older legacy columns.

Their study has proven that the thinner cabling in the old lamp posts is perfectly suitable for the installation of 5kW chargepoints.

This finding will be a huge boost to the changepoint ambitions of the 133 local authorities operating in the served by UK Power Networks, where it is estimated that up to 60% of people do not have access to off-street parking. 

ubitricity internally estimates that for a budget of £1m local authorities could roll out 700-800 lamp post chargers compared to 60-75 Fast Dual charge points (7-22kW) or 20-25 Rapid Single charge points.

The updated guidance will also be a boost to the UK government’s target of having 300,000 to 700,000 public charge points by 2030.

Stuart Wilson, market unit Lead at ubitricity said: ‘Lamp post charging helps local authorities to rollout 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.’

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.’