BT tackles infrastructure shortfall by repurposing street cabinets into EV chargers

It marks the start of new technical trials exploring the potential to extend the usefulness of up to 60,000 near end-of-life cabinets to tackle the current national shortfall in EV charging infrastructure. 

The charging solution works by retrofitting the cabinets with a device that enables renewable energy to be shared to a charge point alongside the existing broadband service with no need to create a new power connection.  

EV charging can be deployed to cabinets that are in-use for current copper broadband services, or in those due for retirement, depending on the space and power available to the unit.  

Once the cabinet is no longer needed for broadband, the equipment is recycled, and additional EV charge points can be added.  

“Our new charging solution is a huge step in bringing EV charging kerbside and exploring how we can address key barriers customers are currently facing,” said Tom Guy, Managing Director, Etc. at BT Group.  

“Working closely with local councils in Scotland and more widely across the UK, we are at a critical stage of our journey in tackling a very real customer problem that sits at the heart of our wider purpose to connect for good.” 

“This is a key step in our mission to build products and services right now that work for the future, with positive transformation at the heart.” 

Etc.’s first installation location is in East Lothian, Scotland, with further trials to roll out across the UK in the coming months. 

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Published On: 18/01/2024 14:00:00

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