hounslow council in london converts its streetlights to energy efficient LEDs with integrated electric vehicle charging points. created by german manufacturer ubitricity, their innovative solution features a custom charging cable with a built-in electricity meter that can be ordered by the electric car driver.
all images © ubitricity
ubitiricity’s charging cable can be plugged into standard electrical outlets, with software that allows for remote billing. using this cord, drivers can plug into most sockets to charge their car. ubitricity monitors charging and reimburses people or company’s that host these charging sessions. the system is designed to let electric-car drivers take advantage of existing electricity infrastructure without the risk of appearing to steal power paid for by others.
the german company believes that its design, which turns a charging cord and smartphone into a mobile-electricity-meter, will be much easier to implement on a large scale rather than creating dedicated charging stations. it could also allow for greater flexibility, by enabling drivers to charge for sporadic periods of time in areas where a permanent charging station may not be practical.
if you’re an electric car driver that happens to stay in hounslow, you can request a charging point from the council and they will install three near your home. you can then order up an ubitricity cable, plug in, and start charging. the german company has certainly created an interesting, and aesthetically pleasing, charging stations, and it is great to see the council’s active involvement in nurturing electric automobiles.
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In reply to the above, some older public street lamps have a 20amp supply from the main LV network. Far more than what was ever needed for the Lamp. 4.6Kw max power output, 6/7 hours full charge for a 1st gen Leaf in Theory. Newer urban development often have Street Lamps supplied via dedicated underground circuits which will have limitations.
Great idea. As above, the questions unanswered in the report concern charging times, contention of the power network. Aside from this very positive innovation, why does Design Boom believe that initial capital letters are optional in written English?
How obvious and simple…! It’s just you won’t get out the currents you need to charge in short time. A street lamp has maybe 100-500W, charging is about some kW! With the supplied power, a high capacity e-car will have to charge over night or much longer. Next thing is the string current to the next input knot, the sum might overstress it. But it’s a brillian step further if it works. At least, for scooters and like it will be fantastic, if the cable wouldn’t be that bulky.