Charging company Voltpost is preparing to roll out light pole EV chargers in major US metropolitan areas such as New York, Chicago and Detroit.
The company announced Thursday that it has “imminent plans” to deploy its chargers in these areas this spring. Level 2 chargers are added to existing light poles, with charging sessions and payments managed via a mobile app.
Each installation has 20 feet of retractable cable and can accommodate two to four charging ports. The ports are designed to route the cable at a 90-degree angle to the car’s charging outlet, avoiding obstruction of vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
Voltpost claims it can install a charger in just one to two hours at a fraction of the cost of other curbside charging stations. The company notes that these light pole chargers also avoid the need to dig trenches to lay electrical cables and obtain building permits.
Voltpost street EV charger with app and charging connector
The chargers will use the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCCP), and no matter what automaker or charging app you use, chances are you’ll see them included soon. “Voltpost is pursuing an open charging distribution strategy to maximize interoperability and deliver a seamless customer experience,” said CEO Jeff Prosserman. “This includes integration with partner apps, including but not limited to Google Maps, Apple Maps, Android Auto and CarPlay.”
Charging based on street lights has been proposed as a solution for electric vehicle drivers who live in apartments or do not have dedicated parking. And there are some signs that Voltpost and other backers may be on to something. New York City began installing some roadside chargers in 2021, and they’re now reaching a 72% utilization rate, according to Electric vehicle is charged.
Voltpost roadside EV charger
Voltpost isn’t the only company with innovative designs for street chargers. Others include a design hidden inside the sidewalk during the day, and just add socket to the street light pole and let the driver figure out how to route the cable.
Shell and Ubitricity has widely deployed street chargers in the UK, but so far no such efforts have been made in major US cities. Some cities have resorted to installing level 2 EV charging stations on the side of the road as required. But dividing each part this way is very expensive.
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with additional reporting by Bengt Halvorson
