Pop goes the electric car fast-charger

Here’s an idea so logical you’ve got to wonder why it’s not more popular. It’s a pop-up fast-charger system being trialled in London.

Yep, that’s right, the chargers are only visible when in action. Otherwise they’re out of sight, out of the way and not cluttering up the busy sidewalk.

Made by start-up Scottish company Trojan Energy, 200 of the “flat and flush” chargers are being installed in the London boroughs of Brent and Camden as part of a program dubbed STEP, or Subsurface Technology for Electric Pathways.

However, the program isn’t cheap with a £3.1 million ($5.5 million) subsidy provided by Innovate UK described as “co-funding”. Trojan has also secured £4.1 million ($7.3 million) in seed funding.

Each charger consists of two parts; a charge point slotted into the ground and a ‘lance’ which drivers carry with them and insert into the charge point to start juicing their electrified vehicles.

Trojan Energy says charge rates run from 2kW to 22kW and up to 18 chargers can run in parallel from one electricity network connection.

The chargers also feature V2G technology that enable EV drivers to  make some money returning energy from their cars back to the grid.

Trojan estimates about 10 million motorists park on the street in the UK and 100 million in Europe.

It intends to follow up the on-street charger with one for home owners, eliminating the need for wall boxes or posts.

“This is such an important milestone for Trojan Energy. Ever since we started this business, we have wanted to ensure that the benefits of the low carbon transition can be realised by everyone and not just those with a driveway,” said Ian Mackenzie, chief executive of Trojan Energy

“With this investment, our vision has moved a step closer. The rewards for our customers and our planet will be massive and prove the point that a big idea and great engineering can change the world.”

A key aspect of the trial involves collecting consumer feedback on the technology and gathering new information on the charging behaviour of EV drivers who park on-street. This research will be led by the Institute for Transport Studies at the University of Leeds.

Of course these chargers aren’t the only innovative solution being proposed as EVs proliferate. There are other pop-up trials, while the incorporation of chargers into street lamps has been developed by Siemens and Ubricity and is on-trial in London.