Lamp-post chargers are EV charging solutions integrated into existing street lighting poles (lamp posts), enabling kerbside charging in residential and urban areas without installing a standalone charging pedestal. They typically provide AC destination charging and are designed to minimize street clutter while leveraging existing electrical infrastructure where feasible.
What Are Lamp-Post Chargers?
A lamp-post charger is an EV charging unit mounted on or integrated within a lighting column, usually offering:
– One (sometimes two) AC charge points
– A socketed outlet (often Type 2) or a tethered cable solution
– Access control via RFID, app, QR, or roaming credentials
– Backend connectivity for monitoring and billing (OCPP to a CPMS)
They are used most commonly where drivers park on-street for long dwell times, such as overnight.
Why Lamp-Post Chargers Matter
Lamp-post charging addresses a key barrier to EV adoption in cities: the lack of private parking for drivers. Benefits include:
– Faster rollout by using existing street assets and established locations
– Reduced visual impact compared to new pedestals and cabinets
– Suitable for residential streets where vehicles park for hours
– Supports inclusive mobility by bringing charging closer to residents
– Can lower civil works requirements in some configurations
For municipalities, lamp-post chargers can be a scalable way to add neighborhood charging coverage.
How Lamp-Post Charging Works
Implementation depends on local electrical network design:
– Some installations connect to the street lighting circuit (if permitted and designed for the added load)
– Others use a separate metered supply dedicated to EV charging
– A nearby kerbside power cabinet may provide protection, metering, and distribution to multiple lamp posts
– Load limits and scheduling may be applied to prevent overload and respect import capacity
Because street lighting networks were not originally designed for EV charging loads, engineering review is critical.
Key Design and Installation Considerations
Lamp-post charging projects must address:
– Electrical capacity and protection coordination (breakers, RCD/RCBO)
– Earthing and public safety requirements
– Metering and billing compliance (often kWh-based billing with compliant metering where required)
– Connectivity and cybersecurity for public infrastructure
– Weather protection (IP rating) and vandal resistance (IK rating)
– Accessibility: cable reach, sidewalk clearance, trip hazard management
– Clear signage and bay designation rules to prevent misuse
In dense streets, minimizing cables across sidewalks and ensuring safe pedestrian routing is essential.
Operational Considerations
For operators and cities, lamp-post chargers require:
– Remote monitoring and fault alerts via CPMS
– Clear maintenance access procedures (streetworks coordination)
– Policies for parking enforcement and idle fees if relevant
– Fair access rules for residents vs visitors
– Utilization monitoring to decide where to densify next
Because lamp-post chargers often have lower power than dedicated hubs, queue management and distribution planning matter.
Benefits and Limitations
Key benefits:
– Uses existing street furniture, reducing streetscape impact
– Suitable for long dwell time charging in residential areas
– Can speed up deployment compared to building new standalone structures
– Supports equitable access for drivers without off-street parking
Limitations to consider:
– Street lighting circuits may lack capacity or may not be suitable for EV charging
– Lower power means longer session durations and fewer vehicles served per day
– Metering, ownership, and billing can be complex in public infrastructure
– Vandalism and water ingress risks require robust enclosure design
– Operational responsibility often spans multiple stakeholders (city, utility, operator)
Related Glossary Terms
Kerbside Charging
Kerbside Power Cabinets
Public Charging
Destination Charging
Type 2 Connector
OCPP
CPMS
kWh-based Billing
IP Ratings
IK10 Impact Protection