Voltpost launched in the US – retrofitting light poles to become Level 2 EV chargers; install one hour
Voltpost is a curbside electric vehicle (EV) charging solution recently brought to market by the company of the same name. Expected to be deployed in major US metropolitan areas such as New York, Chicago, Detroit and others this spring, Voltpost is said to reduce installation and maintenance costs and time and the charger’s footprint for the community.
Instead of setting up charging stations in existing spaces, the company retrofits existing streetlight poles into a modular and upgradeable charging platform powered by a mobile app. The device is essentially a shroud that covers the bottom of the light pole and contains all the electronics and cables needed to provide Level 2 AC charging for up to four electric vehicles.
Installation takes just an hour and can be done at a fraction of the cost of a conventional charging station, without the need for extensive construction, trenching or permitting processes. Among the benefits touted by the company include a 20-foot cable for convenient access to any part of the vehicle as well as industry-standard specifications for environmental and vandalism exposure. .
Voltpost also comes with the company’s proprietary ChargePlug that routes the cable at a 90-degree angle to the car outlet to ensure the cable does not pose a hazard to nearby pedestrians and traffic.
Additionally, the modular platform design allows for rapid maintenance or upgrades if needed to reduce downtime and costs. The toll plaza management system enables public and private stakeholders to obtain charging and pricing analytics.
Voltpost advisor Laura Fox, co-founder, said: “Many people are hesitant to buy electric vehicles due to concerns about range and lack of charging options – imagine what that would be like for people who live in cities in multi-apartment homes and do not have dedicated parking.” and managing partner at Streetlife Ventures.
“Voltpost’s solution is an easy solution for urban curbside charging – it uses and upgrades existing urban infrastructure (light poles) at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods, while while enabling future urban use cases for that infrastructure – from 5G installations to air quality monitoring, e-bike charging and more,” she added.
Because the Malaysian government is aiming to have 10,000 EV charging points set for 2025, is this a viable solution in areas lacking space for charging stations? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with carrot.
