BT Group company Etc is to install its first EV charging unit built from a street cabinet traditionally used to store broadband and phone cabling.
The first installation location is East Lothian, Scotland, with further pilots to roll out across the UK in the next few months.
This 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 fibre rollout progresses, the broadband equipment is recycled, and additional EV charge points can be added.
The process allows re-use of existing infrastructure while deploying more charge points at pace.
Tom Guy, Managing Director, Etc. at BT Group said, “Our new charging solution is a huge step in bringing EV charging kerbside and exploring how we can address key barriers customers are currently facing.
“Working closely with local councils in Scotland and more widely across the UK, we are at a critical stage of our journey in tackling a very real customer problem that sits at the heart of our wider purpose to connect for good.
“This is a key step in our mission to build products and services right now that work for the future, with positive transformation at the heart.”
