BT Group, a U.K. provider of telecom service and digital products, has launched an initiative to power EV charging units built from street cabinets traditionally used to store broadband and phone cabling, according to a press release. 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.

Developed to help solve EV charging infrastructure needs by repurposing existing street furniture, Etc., the startup and digital incubation arm at BT Group, will explore how this solution could be scaled to address the lack of chargers on U.K. roads.

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

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

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 copper broadband services, or in those due for retirement, depending on the space and power available to the unit. Once the cabinet is no longer needed for broadband, as nationwide full fiber rollout progresses, the broadband equipment is recycled and additional EV charge points can be added. This allows reuse of existing infrastructure while deploying more charge points.

Copyright © 2024 Networld Media. All rights reserved., source Industry News