BT had previously announced plans to convert up to 60,000 roadside green cabinets used for delivering the FTTC network, to make them capable of providing power for EV chargers, however, these plans have been scrapped after only one EV charger was installed as part of a trial, and it is now set to be removed.
“By adopting a pilot process, we have been able to test and explore a great deal about the challenges that many on-street EV drivers are facing with charging and where BT Group can add most value to the UK EV ecosystem.
Other emerging needs we’ve identified include the wi-fi connectivity challenge surrounding EV’s – our pilots will now shift in focus to explore this further.”
BT spokesperson
Government statistics show that there are approximately 73,334 EV chargers live. If BT had been able to convert 60,000 cabinets, it would have led to an 80% increase in the current number of chargers and provided a good leap towards the government’s 300,000 target by 2030. The reasons why BT have decided to drop the plans are unclear, but perhaps they are choosing to focus more on where their expertise lies – connectivity.
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Every cabinet I can think of is either well set back from the road, or on a street corner, all unsuitable for a charging location.
Not sure what they were thinking here.
@phead: Although they vary a bit, the cabinet’s power feed was the key. They would put a pole next to the parking space.
was a kinda stupid idea anyway, with the cost of electric, it would be a up road for people fighting for the one charger.