Charging Electric cars at Lampposts

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Hounslow green fleet trials ground-breaking new tech

Hounslow could be set to steal a march on local authorities across the country by trialling a new type of power point for electric cars and vans.

The cost of installing power points means they are few and far between, which, coupled with the cost of buying an electric car  – upwards of around £30,000 - has made many eco-friendly drivers baulk at them.

A traditional public charge point costs around £6,000 to install but the new technology being test driven by Hounslow’s hybrid fleet will cost around €100 and can be fitted to tap into existing lamp posts. If the pilot is a success the council will look at placing them across the borough to entice people into buying electric cars and vans, which it is hoped will drastically cut pollution and help improve air quality.

The council is the only local authority in the UK trialling the technology, which has been designed by German trailblazer Ubitricity.

The project has come about in order find a charging solution for residents who do not have access to off-street parking, which is known to be a significant barrier to purchasing an electric vehicle. 

Hounslow Council is trialling the technology along with councils in Amsterdam and Berlin.

Hounslow Council Cabinet Member for Environment Councillor Amrit Mann said: “Although the cost of electric vehicles is still stubbornly more expensive than petrol or diesel, the price is coming down and the cost to the environment of combustion engines is immense.

“The appetite for electric cars is there and the more people that have them the cheaper they will become.

“It is therefore very exciting to be involved in this pilot project.”

July 29, 2015