To receive a presentation from Ubitricity.

The Panel received a presentation from Ubitricity regarding the possibility of installing a residential on street electric vehicle charging solution.

The Panel were informed that ubitricity’s ‘SimpleSockets’ were easily integrated into existing street lights and thus reducing the capital costs of EV charging provision and increasing the ability to install into residential areas.  Where a resident did not have off street  parking this provided a solution for AV charging without having to have cables across the pavement.  The solution helps remove barriers to owning an electric vehicle.

There would be no requirement for planning permission as this was not required for retro?tting existing street lights, this had the benefit of allowing charge points to be installed using an ‘on demand’ approach and reducing the time to install. 

It operated on a 5.8kw charge that was useful for overnight charging, the installation was discrete and in close proximity to the vehicle which made the solution ideal for residential areas.  The sockets could also be removed and used in another location if it was under used or the resident moved home.   They solution could also be installed into rising bollards if required.

The Panel were informed that EV charging could be done with a SmartCable on a residents own mobile power tariff or spontaneously with a standard charging cable by activating the charge point via a mobile phone using a QR code. The billing would be based on kilowatt hours.

The Panel were shown possible locations that could be used for a trial period, informed that it could be rolled out borough wide and were shown feedback from residents.

Cllr Werner informed that it looked like an excellent solution that reduced tripping hazards that other options had.  He asked if there would be an issue as the responsibility for street lights had been contracted out and how much would it cost the council as the more installed the better for the company.   The Panel were informed that they had worked with contractors who operated lampposts before so this was not an issue.  With regards to costs it was about £2k compared to about £20k for free standing charging points. There would be pay as you go or monthly bills available for residents.

Cllr Sharp informed that he was an advocate of electric vehicles but he raised concern that if there were a number of charging sockets in a street in use they could blow the power supply and he also asked if it was possible for someone to unplug a charging cable to use in their car.  In response the Panel were informed that when a car was locked the cable was also locked so it could not be removed when charging.  There were provisions for unlocking them in an emergency.  With regards to the power supply they had had no need to replace existing cables or any issues with power supply.  When there was a lot of charger in use the amount of power drain could also be lowered or raised.

The Panel noted the presentation.