Access to charge points is cited as one of the main barriers of electrical vehicle (EV) adoption. According to a national survey, 30% of households are expected to rely on public charging (e.g. lamp-post charging) because many UK households do not have access to a private garage or driveway to charge. Instead, drivers park on-street in dense residential areas.
While 90% of early EV adopters have the preferred option of domestic/home charging, many UK households that park on-street have limited options to charge their car, necessitating a robust on-street network of chargers.
1.How does lamp-post charging work?
Lamp-post charging is a form of Public Residential Charging (PRC) which incorporates existing lampposts into the charging infrastructure as a way to improve accessibility.
Drivers can use smartphone applications and websites to locate charging points and manage payments efficiently. Apps like char.gy are enhancing their capabilities by integrating features that allow users to schedule or reserve charging slots ahead of time. This technology also allows for better energy management, which increases the use of renewable energy and lessens the environmental impact of charging.
2.Benefits of lamp-post charging
Lamppost chargers utilise existing streetlight infrastructure, which keeps hardware and installation costs lower compared to other public charging solutions.
By repurposing streetlights, lamp-post chargers avoid adding clutter to urban streets, making them a more aesthetic and efficient use of public space.
These chargers are particularly beneficial for residents without private parking, offering convenient kerbside charging options.
Using existing infrastructure minimises the carbon footprint associated with installing new charging stations.
Lamppost chargers can be deployed quickly and scaled up to meet growing EV adoption demands.
The chargers emit no noise, ensuring they integrate seamlessly into residential areas.
4. Disadvantages of lamp-post charging
Lamppost chargers are typically seen as an urban solution, and not widespread in rural or suburban areas. This is likely to change in the next two years due to the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Scheme which will catalyse a UK wide roll out of on-street EV chargers.
Chargers located on public streets may be blocked by non-EV vehicles or face vandalism. Which is why it's important to have multiple chargers in one street or location.
Some lamppost chargers provide lower charging speeds (e.g., 3-7 kW), which are suited for overnight or long stay charging, not quick top-ups.
Lampposts often share power between lighting and charging which is why they can only deliver standard speeds, because the energy supply is limiting.
3. Lamppost charging locations in the UK
There are approximately 6.5 million lampposts, many of which are situated in key locations with direct access to the power grid.
Finding lamppost EV chargers is much easier these days, thanks to helpful mobile apps. Specifically, apps like Zap-Map and char.gy make it simple to quickly pinpoint their locations.
4. Costs of lamp-post charging
Most lamppost charging is often the most affordable way to charge an EV on a public network. char.gy tops the price comparison boards on "leccy.net" for fast and slow charging. Lamppost chargers operate on a pay-as-you-go basis, where drivers pay per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity consumed.
For example, char.gy’s charging rates range from £0.39 night tariff (from 12am -7am) to £0.59 day tariff (from 7am - 12am) per kWh, depending on the time of day and energy demand. In some areas, local councils subsidise lamppost charging to make it more affordable for residents.
5. The future of lamp-post charging
The future of lamppost charging is directly tied to the UK's energy needs. As more electric vehicles are used, the national grid will face greater pressure. By 2030, we might need an extra 3.5-8GW of power. To address this, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology, used with lamppost chargers, is a key solution. V2G allows electric cars to both take power from and give power back to the grid, helping to balance energy use.
This technology not only strengthens the grid but also increases the use of renewable energy, supporting the UK's environmental goals. Additionally, improved smart charging apps will make charging easier for users. These apps will allow for better charging schedules and potentially offer variable pricing. This will help reduce charging costs and lessen the strain on the grid. Therefore, lamppost charging, combined with these advancements, will be a vital part of the UK's sustainable electric vehicle future, providing accessible and affordable charging for everyone.
6. Conclusion
In conclusion, lamppost charging is a practical and growing solution for the UK's electric vehicle network. It helps people without driveways charge their cars, which encourages more people to switch to EVs. Although there are some issues, like not being suitable for rapid top ups, the benefits are clear, it's cheaper, uses space well, and can be set up and scaled up quickly. Also, adding vehicle-to-grid technology will make the electricity grid stronger and more efficient, supporting the UK's green goals. As more people use electric cars, lamppost charging, along with other public charging options, will be essential for a smooth and sustainable change to electric travel.