BT Group to Launch EV Charging Pilots
The UK’s telecom giant, BT Group, has announced plans for a pioneering project that could reshape the future of electric vehicle charging in the country. They aim to repurpose their street-side telecom cabinets into EV charging points. This significant move falls in line with the nationwide shift towards clean, renewable energy. The initiative named “BT Group electric vehicle charging“ pilot will be run by the company’s start-up and Digital incubation team, Etc.
Etc. Team to Scope Out Considerations for EV Charging Network
BT Group intends to conduct technical and commercial pilots over the next two years. The first phase of the BT Group electric vehicle charging pilots is set to begin in Northern Ireland in the autumn of 2023. Further pilot locations will be added across the UK later in the year.
“Our cabinets are currently used for providing copper-based broadband and phone services and will be decommissioned as the ambitious nationwide upgrade to full fibre progresses”, the company stated.
Tom Guy, Managing Director, Etc. at BT Group, comments:
“We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to connect for good in a whole new way by innovating around our cabinet infrastructure. The pilots are critical for the team to work through the assessment and establish effective technical, commercial and operational routes to market over the next two years.”
In the growth of electric vehicles in the UK, it’s predicted that the ban on sales of internal combustion engine vehicles in 2030 will push the need for EV charging points, a factor the electric vehicle charging project addresses.
Etc.’s projections suggest that, over time, 60,000 of the Group’s 90,000 cabinets may be suitable for upgrades to EV charging points. The project’s scalability and final implementation will rely heavily on the success of the pilot phases.
As with any large-scale venture, there are numerous factors to consider. One is the assurance that neither the trials nor any potential scaling of the new EV charge network would present any change or disruption to the telecommunications services supported from the cabinets.
The Role of UK Government in EV Charging Infrastructure Upgrade
The UK Government is also committed to this green revolution, planning to grow the number of UK charge points from around 45,000 today to 300,000 by 2030.
This ambitious project has gained approval from industry leaders. Ben Nelmes, CEO, New Automotive, praises the initiative, “The need for more EV charging represents an exciting business opportunity, so it is great to see BT Group announcing plans that could play a key role in growing the number of charge points.”
In conclusion, BT Group’s innovation could potentially transform the EV charging landscape in the UK. As more corporates shift towards environmentally friendly initiatives, it will be interesting to watch how this particular project unfolds and potentially influences the wider industry.
What are your thoughts on BT Group’s initiative? Do you think repurposing telecom cabinets into EV charging points is a step in the right direction? Feel free to share your views in the comments section below!
