Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- New York City is addressing its urban EV charging challenges with innovative solutions like the Voltpost Air lamppost EV charger.
- This technology converts existing street infrastructure into Level 2 charging points, significantly reducing deployment costs and time.
- The Voltpost Air charger, tested at Bush Terminal Park in Brooklyn, offers a user-friendly experience with a retracting cable system and competitive pricing.
- Its high-mounted design protects against vandalism and flooding, while utilizing existing electrical capacity from streetlights converted to LED.
- If scaled across the city, this approach could substantially accelerate EV adoption in densely populated areas, overcoming common urban infrastructure hurdles.
New York City, a metropolis known for its unique challenges in urban mobility, is witnessing a significant shift towards electric vehicles (EVs). With over 81,000 combined registrations for EVs and plug-in hybrids recorded in September, the demand for accessible and efficient charging infrastructure has never been more critical. The congested streets, perennial search for parking, strict street-cleaning regulations, and formidable traffic conditions already make driving in the city a demanding experience. For apartment dwellers who park on the street, the ease of home charging enjoyed by suburban counterparts with garages remains a distant reality.
Addressing New York’s Urban EV Charging Conundrum
The proliferation of fast chargers across the five boroughs, while welcome, is constrained by the city’s dense urban landscape, exorbitant real estate costs, and protracted permitting processes. Moreover, not every charging session necessitates a high-powered, rapid-charging facility. Many city residents seek a practical solution allowing them to plug in their vehicles for several hours while attending to other activities.
This is precisely where the expansion of Level 2 charging, both curbside and within parking facilities, becomes indispensable. These charging units are markedly more economical than their fast-charging counterparts and can replenish an EV’s battery in approximately six to eight hours, depending on its capacity. For most drivers, excluding those in rideshare services requiring frequent top-ups, vehicles spend a substantial portion of their time stationary. Integrating Level 2 charging into these prolonged parking periods offers not only cost efficiencies for owners but also contributes to reduced stress on the battery during the charging cycle.
Introducing the Voltpost Air Lamppost EV Charger
Several innovative New York-based startups are actively developing solutions to meet this exact need. Prominent among them is Voltpost, a company whose concept is elegantly straightforward: instead of constructing entirely new charging stations, it repurposes existing street infrastructure, such as lampposts or utility poles, into functional EV chargers. This ingenious approach seeks to leverage the city’s existing footprint.
Voltpost recently unveiled New York City’s inaugural lamppost EV charger, the ‘Voltpost Air,’ situated at Bush Terminal Park in South Brooklyn. An on-site evaluation of this new installation revealed its potential as a transformative solution for urban EV infrastructure. If implemented on a wider scale, this type of lamppost EV charger could significantly propel the city’s ambitious electric vehicle goals.
First-Hand Experience with the Lamppost EV Charger
The Voltpost Air unit is strategically positioned approximately 10 feet up a streetlight pole, placing it beyond easy reach and safeguarding it against potential vandalism and flooding. Despite gas-powered vehicles being parked on either side during the test, the dispenser’s 25-foot cable proved sufficiently long to connect to the Mercedes-Benz CLA 350 Electric without impeding surrounding cars.
Initiating a charging session was remarkably intuitive. Users scan a QR code on the lamppost EV charger, and with just two subsequent clicks, the charging cable automatically lowers itself for access. Once within reach, a button on the handle extends the cable to the vehicle’s charge port. While a card reader remains the gold standard for ultimate charging convenience, the Voltpost application demonstrated impressive responsiveness and seamless connectivity, a notable achievement given that some larger fast-charging networks still grapple with app reliability.
Upon completion of the charging cycle, detaching the cable prompted its automatic retraction back into the dispenser. A minor observation noted was the need for a gentle release of the handle; an abrupt detachment could cause the cable to swing against the pole during retraction. Overall, the charging experience was notably smooth and uneventful.
Daily Driving Needs Met Efficiently
During a one-hour charging period, the Mercedes-Benz CLA gained approximately 30 miles of indicated range. This increment was more than adequate to cover the round trip from the user’s apartment and provided an additional 20 miles, effectively satisfying the day’s driving requirements. This scenario perfectly illustrates the utility of such chargers. Drivers can conveniently plug in, attend to other tasks, and return to a sufficiently charged vehicle without the need for constant monitoring.
Locations such as parks, shopping centres, apartment complexes, and office buildings present ideal deployment sites for these lamppost EV charger units. They can provide passive charging while individuals walk their dogs, grocery shop, or socialise. The cost for this session was $0.39 per kilowatt-hour, which is significantly more affordable than local fast chargers, where prices can exceed $0.60 per kWh, and aligned with other public Level 2 chargers within New York City.
The Strategic Advantages of Lamppost Integration
Voltpost highlights that its lamppost installations effectively resolve several common inconveniences associated with traditional curbside EV chargers, such as cables obstructing pedestrian pathways and bulky stations occupying valuable public space. The elevated positioning of the charger provides crucial protection from flooding, a significant concern in urban environments. Furthermore, the automatic retraction system for the cable eliminates the risk of cables being left on the ground, mitigating wear and tear and ensuring clear passage for pedestrians.
A more profound benefit, according to Luke Mairo, COO and co-founder of Voltpost, lies in the accelerated deployment and reduced costs. By leveraging existing poles and electrical infrastructure, Voltpost bypasses the extensive work involved in excavating sidewalks, laying new conduits, and establishing dedicated electrical connections. Mairo stated in an interview, “The main benefit of using pole mounted infrastructure is that we don’t do construction and trenching work.” He added that this approach translates to “less permitting, significant reductions in the cost to install, and less disruption to the communities.”
Smart Power Utilisation and Durability
The lamppost EV charger in Brooklyn does not draw power directly from the streetlight itself but rather from a nearby building. Mairo clarified, “We don’t split the power to the light. With the conversion of street lights to LED, there’s spare capacity on the grid. We can use the existing capacity at the distribution to bring new service through the grid to our lamppost locations.” This method can cut project costs by an estimated 70% and facilitate installation within mere hours, with minimal or no construction. The lamppost EV charger supports both J1772 and Tesla-style J3400 connectors, providing up to 9.6 kilowatts at 240 volts and 40 amps.
Voltpost initiated its lamppost EV charger deployments in Chicago last year, followed by installations in Detroit and New York. An additional 26 lamppost chargers are slated for New York State through a programme funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Nationally, approximately 500 new chargers have been awarded across nine U.S. states.
Addressing concerns about the mechanical retraction system’s durability in varying climates, Mairo affirmed the charger’s UL certification and extensive testing across thousands of cycles and diverse temperatures. The system is rated to operate within a broad range, from -22 degrees Fahrenheit to 122F. However, the ultimate test will be large-scale, real-world usage, particularly given the known rigorous treatment charging equipment often receives from city drivers. Voltpost ensures system integrity through real-time monitoring and remote problem resolution via software, with local maintenance providers dispatched for physical repairs.
The Broader Landscape of Curbside Charging in NYC
Voltpost is not alone in its endeavour to utilise existing electrical infrastructure to circumvent expensive and time-consuming utility upgrades. Another New York startup, It’s Electric, is expanding its operations with innovative curbside chargers that tap into spare capacity from residential and commercial buildings. Their system requires drivers to provide their own charging cables, which the company also supplies, eliminating dangling wires and allowing users to take their cables with them after charging.
Similarly, the Gravity Charging Center in Times Square employs a comparable strategy on a much grander scale, drawing surplus electricity from its block to power a substantial 500 kW charging station. The unifying principle among these startups is a proactive approach to enhancing EV infrastructure, rather than passively awaiting comprehensive street overhauls. Their goal is to collaborate with existing urban frameworks to accelerate EV adoption more efficiently.
Despite these advancements, the journey towards widespread curbside charging across the U.S. remains extensive. New York City currently lags behind other major global cities in this regard. London, for instance, boasts over 27,000 curbside chargers, many of which are similarly retrofitted lampposts, demonstrating the established viability of this concept.
New York City’s existing curbside charging network is considerably smaller, with only 88 chargers installed by Flo. These units, with their tall towers and lengthy cables, can be visually imposing in an already cluttered urban environment. Nevertheless, the persistent long queues at public fast chargers underscore a clear imbalance between demand and supply. With EVs now constituting 8.3% of new vehicle registrations in the city, plans are underway to install approximately 600 additional curbside chargers in the coming years. The critical challenge now lies in the city’s ability to expedite these installations and genuinely simplify the lives of electric vehicle owners.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lamppost EV Chargers
What is a lamppost EV charger?
A lamppost EV charger is an electric vehicle charging unit integrated into existing streetlights or utility poles. Instead of requiring new dedicated infrastructure, it repurposes current urban fixtures, making deployment faster and more cost-effective. This innovative solution helps expand charging access in dense city environments without extensive construction.
How does the Voltpost Air lamppost EV charger work?
Users locate the Voltpost Air lamppost EV charger, scan a QR code with their smartphone, and initiate a charging session via an app. The charging cable then automatically lowers from the pole for easy connection to the EV. After charging, the cable retracts back into the unit, keeping sidewalks clear and protecting the equipment.
What are the main benefits of using lamppost EV chargers in urban areas?
The primary benefits include significantly reduced installation costs and time, as it leverages existing infrastructure and electrical capacity. It also minimises disruption to communities, protects chargers from vandalism and flooding by being mounted high, and ensures cables do not obstruct pedestrian pathways, enhancing safety and urban aesthetics.
Is the lamppost EV charger durable enough for harsh weather conditions?
Yes, Voltpost states its lamppost EV chargers are UL certified and have undergone extensive testing across various climates and temperatures, rated to operate between -22°F and 122°F (-30°C and 50°C). The company also monitors chargers in real-time and dispatches local maintenance for any required physical repairs.
How much does it cost to charge an EV using a Voltpost lamppost charger?
During the initial test in New York City, the charging cost was $0.39 per kilowatt-hour. This pricing is generally more economical than public fast chargers in the area, which can exceed $0.60 per kWh, and is competitive with other public Level 2 charging options available in the city.
Where else are lamppost EV chargers being deployed?
After launching its first lamppost EV charger in Chicago, Voltpost expanded to Detroit and New York. Plans are in place for an additional 26 lamppost chargers in New York State, funded by NYSERDA. In total, approximately 500 new lamppost EV charger units have been approved for deployment across nine U.S. states, indicating growing adoption.