At the centre of the partnership is the Voltpost Air, a Level 2 EV charger designed to be mounted directly onto existing lampposts. The charger can apparently be installed in a matter of hours, eliminating the need for new civil works or dedicated charging posts. EVSE will manufacture the hardware, including its patented AutoCoil retractable cable management system, while Voltpost will provide the charging platform and manage partnerships with municipalities, utilities and private site hosts.
As the name suggests, the Air is not installed on the ground, but high up on the lamppost to avoid vandalism. To reach the cable, the user needs to scan the QR code, which prompts the cable to descend. After the charging session, the cable is automatically retracted. According to Voltpost, the design also helps eliminate street-level clutter while maintaining accessibility for drivers. Wireless connectivity for the chargers and the associated mobile app is provided via the AT&T network, enabling users to locate chargers, check availability and monitor charging sessions.
The lamppost charging concept is intended to address slow and complex urban charging rollouts by leveraging infrastructure that is already in place. EVSE added that the technology has been tested through pilot projects with cities and utilities across the US, including with the Los Angeles Bureau of Street Lighting, and has demonstrated durability in challenging weather conditions.
And Voltpost has brought on some new expertise. The company confirmed that James Everley has joined the company as Director of Business Development. Everley previously led large-scale lamppost charging deployments at Ubitricity in the UK, where he oversaw the rollout of around 2,000 lamppost chargers. “By uniting the strengths of EVSE and Voltpost, we can ensure that cities, companies, and utilities deploy chargers efficiently and reliably,” said Everley. “We are excited about how this strategic partnership accelerates our deployment plans to make charging accessible nationwide.”
electrek.co, linkedin.com
