Addressing the Electric Car Charging Shortage
BT has unveiled plans to convert thousands of green street cabinets into electric car charging points to combat the chronic shortage in the UK. Despite nearly a million electric cars on the roads, there are only 55,000 on-street charging points. BT aims to retrofit around 60,000 street boxes, originally housing broadband and phone cables, with two charging points each. The first installation is set for East Lothian, Scotland, with further pilots across the UK. The initiative responds to the increasing demand for environmentally friendly transport, with 975,000 electric cars and 590,000 plug-in hybrids in the UK. However, limited charging infrastructure remains a barrier for one in three motorists considering the switch to electric vehicles.
Government’s Electric Vehicle Charging Goals
The UK government has set a target of 300,000 charging points by 2030, investing £2 billion to expand the existing infrastructure. With 55,000 public points in operation, the government aims to facilitate convenient charging for electric vehicles. BT’s innovative solution involves retrofitting existing green cabinets, sharing the power connection with a vehicle charging point while in use, and adding an extra charging point upon retirement. The initiative supports the goal of universal access to superfast full-fibre internet by 2030. The move aligns with the global recognition of BT’s innovative charging solution, receiving an ‘Innovation Honoree’ award at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
Crucial Step for Electric Vehicle Adoption
BT’s start-up and digital incubator Etc. has spearheaded the initiative, emphasizing its significance in overcoming key barriers to electric vehicle adoption. With a focus on on-street charging for the one-third of UK homes without off-street parking, the project addresses the need for accessible charging infrastructure in cities and town centers. The innovative approach aligns with the broader mission of connecting for good and marks a significant step in making electric vehicle charging more accessible and convenient.
Source：dailymail.co.uk
