INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Cabling

The announcement marks the first step in the rollout of new technical trials , exploring the potential to upgrade up to 60,000 cabinets to help meet government sustainability targets and decarbonise the transport system in the UK .

Developed to help solve EV charging infrastructure needs by repurposing existing street furniture , the pilots will explore how this solution could be scaled to address the lack of chargers on UK roads . With new BT Group research showing that more than a third ( 38 %) would have an EV already if charging were less of an issue , and with only 53,0004 public EV charge points currently on UK roads , the pilot marks an important step in the journey to net-zero .

Etc . has announced its first installation location in East Lothian , Scotland , with further pilots to roll out across the UK in the coming months .

While the UK Government ’ s ambitions are to increase the number of charge points from 53,000 today to 300,000 by 2030 , access to charging is already creating a significant barrier to EV purchase for many . BT Group ’ s recent research found that 60 % of people think the UK ’ s EV charging infrastructure is inadequate , with 78 % of petrol and diesel drivers saying not being able to conveniently charge an EV is a barrier to getting one .

Through the trials , Etc . will scope a range of different technical , commercial and operational considerations with bringing this EV charge point network online , including :

• Technical – Cabinet location , power availability , customer accessibility , digital customer experience and engineering considerations

• Civil planning – Location , local council engagement , permissions and physical accessibility

• Commercial – Public funding options , private investment , partnership and wider financial modelling to establish a route to commercial benefit for the Group

• Operational – As a dedicated BT Group venture or in partnership with others

While in its early development stages , the initiative has already been celebrated on the global stage at the Consumer Electronics Show ( CES ).

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 broadband services , or in those due for retirement , depending on the space and power available to the unit .

Tom Guy , CEO , Etc . at BT Group , said “ 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 . 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 .” p

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