Technology

Posted on August 13, 2019 by staff

‘Disappearing’ roadside electric charging hubs revealed

Technology

The UEone from British charging start-up Urban Electric Networks is claimed to be the world’s first ‘pop-up’ charge point, designed to allow charging points to be built into pavements without reducing parking space.

A prototype 6-charger hub has been installed in Oxford where local residents will soon be able to trial the pop-up charge points, together with the Ohme intelligent EV charging system and free use of an electric car, operated by Co-wheels car club.

A £250,000 equity crowdfunding campaign, launched today through Crowdcube, is hoped to support a £3.8m Innovate UK backed project to install up to 18 second generation ‘demonstrator’ pop-up charging hubs, comprising more than 100 charge points in Dundee and Plymouth.

The project is designed to precede a full commercial launch.

Innovate UK’s Director of Clean Growth and Infrastructure, Ian Meikle, said the firm had “the potential to be rolled out across the whole of the UK.”

“Pop-up charging hubs offer a scalable solution for more than 190 million on-street parking spaces in European cities alone, enabling those without off-street residential parking to switch to an EV,” he said.

“If you are one of the 8 million UK drivers that park your vehicle on your street at night, the convenience of charging there as well while you sleep is unbeatable – simply plug-in when you get home in the evening for a full charge in the morning,” said cofounder Olivier Freeling-Wilkinson.