Lamp post charge points to be considered for electric vehicles

On-street electric vehicle charging points could be installed on lamp posts in Derbyshire under proposals put to County Council Cabinet Members.

Plans were under consideration at a meeting held on 16th March 2023, and if the proposal goes ahead, will mean up to 500 charge points will be installed and run from the electricity supply to street lights in areas of the county where residents have no off-road parking, and to help identify where the charge points would be installed, the county council proposes to ask residents to come forward to express an interest in having a charge point installed on a lamp post close to their home.

Councillor Carolyn Renwick, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment, said: “Supporting motorists in Derbyshire to make the switch to cleaner, greener vehicles is a key priority to help cut carbon emissions on our journey to becoming a net zero county to help tackle climate change.

“We know a huge proportion of Derbyshire homes do not have off-road parking which means that switching to an electric vehicle is not an easy option for many residents at a time when electric vehicles are entering the second-hand market making them a more affordable option for some.

“But advances in technology in recent years mean that charging points installed on lamp posts offer reliable and safe electric vehicle charging comparable to that of a home charging unit. That’s why we’re proposing to start rolling out this type of charging technology in Derbyshire to help residents interested in running an electric vehicle to make the switch.”

The proposals are part of the county council’s wider plan to install more vehicle charging points across Derbyshire, working with operators and partners such as district, borough, town and parish councils to fit charge points in public car parks.

If the plans are approved, the council will begin the process of appointing a supplier to provide and operate the on-street charging points.

It is intended that the supplier would fully finance and manage the installation, operation and maintenance of the charge point at no cost to the council.

Residents wishing to express an interest would be able to do so from the end of March with further details being made available on the council’s website in the coming weeks.