Gutter-mounted charge points could solve electric car woes

Urban Urban News Car News
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The kerb chargers are designed to be as small as possible
Photo of Andrew Chesterton
Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

2 min read

A UK company claims to have solved EV charging issues, rolling out that country's first charging network of power outlets embedded into the kerb.

The technology could mean the end of waiting for designated EV charging spot, but also solves a much bigger issue in London (and in Australia's inner-cities); how to charge your battery electric vehicle if your home doesn't have off-street parking.

Connected Kerb had installed the first of its road-side chargers in the Southwark Council area in London, with the power drawn from the UK's national electricity grid. The charging company hope a city-wide network will be rolled our across London.

The points, made from recycled materials, also double as internet hotspots and provide weather and traffic updates for drivers.

"Nearly half of all vehicle owners do not have a driveway, which is why we at Connected Kerb believe the future of electric vehicle charging will be focused on urban residential streets," the company says.

"As demand for charging increases, the UK power network will not be able to sustain a rapid charging solution for all. The only viable option is a low power, low cost, low impact residential solution which can be rolled out nationally."

Would kerb-side charging convince you to buy an EV?

Photo of Andrew Chesterton
Andrew Chesterton

Contributing Journalist

Andrew Chesterton should probably hate cars. From his hail-damaged Camira that looked like it had spent a hard life parked at the end of Tiger Woods' personal driving range, to the Nissan Pulsar Reebok that shook like it was possessed by a particularly mean-spirited demon every time he dared push past 40km/h, his personal car history isn't exactly littered with gold. But that seemingly endless procession of rust-savaged hate machines taught him something even more important; that cars are more than a collection of nuts, bolts and petrol. They're your ticket to freedom, a way to unlock incredible experiences, rolling invitations to incredible adventures. They have soul. And so, somehow, the car bug still bit. And it bit hard. When "Chesto" started his journalism career with News Ltd's Sunday and Daily Telegraph newspapers, he covered just about everything, from business to real estate, courts to crime, before settling into state political reporting at NSW Parliament House. But the automotive world's siren song soon sounded again, and he begged anyone who would listen for the opportunity to write about cars. Eventually they listened, and his career since has seen him filing car news, reviews and features for TopGear, Wheels, Motor and, of course, CarsGuide, as well as many, many others. More than a decade later, and the car bug is yet to relinquish its toothy grip. And if you ask Chesto, he thinks it never will. Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
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