In a groundbreaking move, Etc., the startup and digital incubation arm of BT Group, reveals plans to transform street cabinets—originally designated for broadband and phone cabling—into electric vehicle (EV) charging units. This heralds the onset of extensive technical trials aimed at converting up to 60,000 cabinets, a move set to align with government sustainability targets and revolutionize the UK’s transport system.
The primary objective behind this innovative solution is to address the current deficiency in EV charging infrastructure by repurposing existing street furniture. The imminent trials seek to explore the scalability of this approach in combating the scarcity of charging stations across UK roads. BT Group’s recent research highlights that over a third (38%) of individuals would already own an EV if charging were less challenging, despite the presence of only 53,000 public EV charge points nationwide. This initiative marks a crucial stride towards achieving net-zero emissions.
The inaugural installation site for this initiative is set in East Lothian, Scotland, with plans underway to extend these pilots across the UK in the near future.
While the UK Government aspires to amplify the number of charge points to 300,000 by 2030 from the current 53,000, the existing dearth of charging infrastructure poses a substantial hurdle for prospective EV buyers. BT Group’s research underscores this, revealing that 60% of individuals perceive the UK’s EV charging infrastructure as inadequate, with 78% of petrol and diesel drivers citing inconvenient charging as a deterrent to purchasing an EV.
Etc.’s trials aim to encompass various technical, commercial, and operational aspects in establishing this EV charge point network:
- Technical considerations involve cabinet location, power availability, customer accessibility, digital experience, and engineering aspects.
- Civil planning includes engagement with local councils, permissions, and physical accessibility.
- Commercial considerations span public funding options, private investment, partnerships, and financial modeling to ascertain the Group’s commercial benefits.
- Operational aspects contemplate the venture as a dedicated BT Group initiative or a collaborative effort with other entities.
Despite being in its early stages, this initiative has garnered global acclaim, earning the Innovation Honoree for 2024 at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) for its exceptional design and engineering.
The retrofitting process involves equipping cabinets with a device facilitating the sharing of renewable energy to a charge point alongside existing broadband services, negating the necessity for a new power connection. This retrofitting can occur in cabinets currently operational for copper broadband services or those nearing retirement, depending on space and available power. As the nationwide full-fiber rollout progresses, retired broadband equipment gets recycled, allowing for the addition of more EV charge points while reusing existing infrastructure.
While this pilot focuses on the UK, the challenge of EV charging infrastructure extends globally. For instance, the US, home to over 2.4 million electric vehicles, has a mere 160,000 public EV chargers installed.
Tom Guy, Managing Director of Etc. at BT Group, emphasizes, “Our new charging solution is a significant stride towards curbing current EV charging challenges, aligning with our purpose to connect for good.”
Dunstan Power, director of Versinetic, a consultancy focusing on EV charging design, praises the initiative but stresses the need for more decisive government action to expedite the development of an extensive charging network, underscoring the urgency of the EV revolution.
