BT's Innovative Approach to Electric Vehicle Charging

author: FutureCar Staff    

BT has announced plans to convert its street cabinets into electric vehicle (EV) charging points as part of a technical and commercial pilot. The goal of the pilots is to assess the viability of expanding the EV charging infrastructure, while also repurposing cabinets that are currently used for phone and internet services. These cabinets will be decommissioned as the switch to full-fibre communications accelerates.

However, there are several challenges that need to be addressed. These range from the location of the cabinets to planning issues, as well as charging issues both in terms of electricity and finances. Upgrading the 90,000 existing green boxes will be necessary, but there is also the concern of parking availability. Having a charging point in front of your house may be convenient, but what if someone else has already taken the parking space?

Furthermore, there are usually pavements (sidewalks) between the cabinets and the road, which means that engineering works will be required. This could cause more disruption at a time when people are already frustrated with the ongoing fibre roll-out and associated digging.

Despite these challenges, BT should be commended for its innovative approach to meeting its net zero goals. The company plans to achieve net zero in its own operations by the end of March 2031, and in its supply chain by the end of March 2041. BT has already made significant progress by purchasing 100% renewable electricity.

This trial also addresses the issue of the lack of EV charging points across the country. It may provide a viable solution for the many terraced houses that date back to the Victorian and Edwardian eras, where off-road parking is often not available for household charging.

Rob Pritchard, a principal analyst at GlobalData, noted the importance of expanding the number of charging points in the UK to meet government goals. The aim is to increase the number of charging points from 45,000 to 300,000 by 2030, when the ban on sales of new vehicles powered by internal combustion engines comes into effect. Reusing existing street furniture, such as cabinets, could help repurpose legacy infrastructure and expand charging availability, which is crucial considering range anxiety is a significant concern for potential EV buyers.

FutureCar Staff