BT's Innovative Approach to Electric Vehicle Charging

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【Summary】BT is conducting trials to convert its street cabinets into electric vehicle (EV) charging points in an effort to expand the charging infrastructure in the UK. The project aims to repurpose the cabinets that are currently used for copper-based phone and internet services. The challenges include location, planning, and charging issues, but this initiative could provide a solution to the lack of EV charging points across the country.

FutureCar Staff Aug 26, 2023 10:16 AM PT

BT's Innovative Approach to Electric Vehicle Charging

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 pilot is to assess the feasibility of expanding the EV charging infrastructure while repurposing cabinets 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 include the location of the cabinets, planning issues, and both electric and financial charging concerns. While there are already 90,000 green boxes that could potentially be upgraded, there is the issue of parking availability and the possibility of someone else already using the charging point. Furthermore, engineering works and disruptions will be required to connect the cabinets to the road, adding to the inconvenience caused by ongoing fibre roll-out projects.

Despite these challenges, BT should be commended for its innovative approach to meet its net zero goals. The company aims to achieve net zero in its own operations by March 2031 and in its supply chain by March 2041. BT already sources 100% renewable electricity.

In addition to addressing the lack of EV charging points across the country, this trial may provide a viable solution for terraced housing areas with limited off-road parking. These areas, which often consist of Victorian and Edwardian streets, face challenges when it comes to household charging due to the unavailability of off-road parking.

Rob Pritchard, a principal analyst at GlobalData, highlights the significance of this initiative in meeting the government's goal of expanding the number of UK charging points from 45,000 to 300,000 by 2030. This expansion is crucial as the ban on sales of new vehicles powered by internal combustion engines is set to become law. The reuse of existing street furniture, such as cabinets, not only repurposes legacy infrastructure but also helps to increase charging availability, addressing the range anxiety issue that potential EV buyers often face.