BT Group has announced the installation of its inaugural EV charge point, utilising a revamped telecommunications street cabinet in East Lothian, Scotland. This development launches the first phase of a nationwide pilot spearheaded by ETC, BT Group's start-up incubation hub. The initiative aims to address the UK's shortage of public EV charging stations by converting existing telecommunications cabinets.
The pilot charger, energised by a cabinet traditionally housing broadband and phone cabling, is now operational and available to local residents free of charge until 31st May. Following the East Lothian installation, the trial will expand to West Yorkshire, with plans to test up to 600 sites across the country.
EV owners can access the charger via a newly developed app, available on the App Store and Google Play. The app, crafted by ETC's team in collaboration with EV drivers, offers features such as real-time information on charger availability, pricing, and charging speeds. Users can also start, stop, and monitor their charging sessions, tailor searches by connector type and speed, and view their charging history.
The pilot aims to test various aspects, from the user experience to engineering solutions and operational strategies. With an estimated 5,052 public EV chargers in Scotland and a potential for 4,800 cabinet upgrades, Etc. is exploring ways to boost infrastructure to meet growing demand.
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Transport at the Scottish Government, praised the initiative: “This is an exciting and innovative development in the provision of electric vehicle charging so I’m really pleased that the first trial in the UK is taking place in East Lothian.”
Norman Hampshire, Leader of East Lothian Council, also expressed support, highlighting the council's commitment to sustainable transport solutions and the importance of accessible, well-designed charging facilities.
Tom Guy, Managing Director of Etc., BT Group, underscored the urgency of the trials: “With our research showing that 78% of petrol and diesel drivers see not being able to conveniently charge an EV as a key barrier to purchasing one, and the UK behind government-set sustainability targets, it’s critical that we start looking at existing infrastructure to drive innovation at speed.”
Etc., recognised for its innovative contributions to various sectors such as drones, HealthTech, and fintech, operates as the multi-award-winning incubation team within BT Group's Digital unit. It focuses on boosting emerging businesses and creating solutions adjacent to BT Group’s core offerings.
BT Group, a major player in the UK's telecommunications sector, provides a broad range of digital products, solutions, and services. It consists of three customer-facing units: Consumer, Business, and Openreach. The latter is an independently governed subsidiary that wholesales fixed access infrastructure services to over 650 communications providers across the UK.
This pilot project not only reflects BT Group's commitment to sustainable transport but also its strategic use of existing infrastructure to foster innovation and meet environmental targets. The successful implementation of this scheme could significantly influence the future of electric vehicle charging in the UK, supporting the transition to a greener transport system.
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