EV infrastructure under threat
BT Abandons Electric Vehicle Charging Point Initiative After Single Installation
Telecommunications Giant Shifts Focus Following Limited Success of Street Cabinet Conversion Programme
British Telecommunications (BT) has terminated its ambitious scheme to transform green street cabinets into electric vehicle (EV) charging points, having completed just one installation out of an initially proposed 60,000 conversions, marking a significant setback in the nation’s EV infrastructure development efforts.
The distinctive metal cabinets, which have become a familiar sight along British streets and are traditionally used to house telephone and broadband cables, were earmarked for an innovative repurposing project. When BT unveiled the initiative in January 2024, the telecommunications company heralded it as a “unique opportunity” to address what it identified as a “key barrier” preventing motorists from transitioning away from conventional petrol and diesel vehicles.
However, the programme has now been discontinued, with BT announcing a strategic pivot towards addressing “the Wi-Fi connectivity challenge surrounding EVs” instead. This dramatic scaling back of ambitions has raised questions about the feasibility of rapid EV infrastructure expansion in residential areas.
Stuart Masson, an automotive industry expert from the specialist website The Car Expert, expressed disappointment about the scheme’s termination in his comments to BBC News. “It’s disappointing that it’s not going to proceed,” he noted, though he tempered this assessment with some optimistic industry observations. “The good news that we are seeing in the industry is that the overall rollout of electric charging points is accelerating faster than had been predicted a couple of years ago,” Masson added.
Nevertheless, Masson highlighted a crucial caveat: the majority of new charging points are being installed in high-traffic commercial areas rather than residential streets closer to people’s homes, making BT’s withdrawal from the cabinet conversion scheme particularly problematic for potential EV adopters without off-street parking.
The automotive expert did, however, welcome BT’s commitment to enhancing wi-fi infrastructure around EV charging locations. He elaborated on the current challenges: “It’s very frustrating when you turn up to a charging point, you go to log into the app… and you can’t get a connection because you’re buried in a multi-storey car park somewhere and there’s no signal. If BT can make a dent in that then that would be really good.”
The Sole Installation
The project’s only successful conversion was implemented in East Lothian, Scotland. This solitary charging point is now scheduled for decommissioning in February, according to The Fast Charge newsletter, which first reported the story. Currently, the charging point is listed as “out of order” on the Evve Charge application, which maps EV charging locations throughout the United Kingdom.
East Lothian Council responded to queries about the closure by emphasising the region’s robust existing charging infrastructure. A council spokesperson stated: “East Lothian has one of the highest numbers of electric vehicle chargers per head of population among Scotland’s local authorities, with more than 370 public places to plug in cars.”
BT’s Perspective and Future Focus
A BT Group spokesperson reflected on the trial’s outcomes, noting that it had revealed “a great deal about the challenges that many on-street EV drivers are facing with charging and where BT Group can add most value to the UK EV ecosystem.” They continued: “Other emerging needs we’ve identified include the wi-fi connectivity challenge surrounding EVs – our pilots will now shift in focus to explore this further.”
National Context and Government Targets
The government maintains an ambitious target of establishing 300,000 public charging points by 2030. Current official statistics indicate there are 73,334 public charging devices across the UK, representing a significant 37% increase compared to the previous year. However, the distribution remains notably uneven, with nearly a third of these facilities concentrated in Greater London, according to data from EV charging company Zapmap.
Industry Challenges and Government Response
The Department for Transport responded to BT’s announcement by highlighting recent achievements, stating that 2024 was “a record-breaking year for EV infrastructure,” with approximately 20,000 new charging points installed over the past twelve months. “This comes alongside £6bn of private investment in the pipeline by 2030, helping EV owners drive with the confidence that they will never be too far away from a chargepoint,” the department affirmed.
However, the automotive industry has expressed reservations about the pace of the UK’s EV transition. Ford Motor Company voiced concerns in November 2024 regarding the government’s timetable for phasing out internal combustion engine vehicles, suggesting that additional financial incentives would be necessary for successful implementation.
In response to these industry concerns, the government initiated a consultation process with automotive and charging infrastructure stakeholders in December to refine its strategy for phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles. The government emphasised its £2.3 billion investment commitment to support the transition to EVs, while reaffirming its target to end sales of new fossil fuel-powered vehicles by 2030.
The termination of BT’s cabinet conversion scheme highlights the complex challenges facing the UK’s EV infrastructure development, even as the country pursues its ambitious environmental and transportation goals. While alternative charging solutions continue to emerge, the need for innovative approaches to residential charging infrastructure remains a significant hurdle in the nation’s journey toward widespread EV adoption.
Summary
* BT has cancelled its plan to convert green street cabinets into EV charging points after installing only one out of a planned 60,000 units:
– The only installation was in East Lothian, Scotland
– This single unit will be decommissioned in February
– The charger is currently listed as “out of order” on the Evve Charge app
* Current state of UK EV charging infrastructure:
– 73,334 public charging devices currently available
– 37% increase compared to previous year
– Nearly one-third concentrated in Greater London
– Government target is 300,000 charging points by 2030
– Nearly 20,000 new points added in past 12 months
* BT’s revised focus:
– Shifting attention to “Wi-Fi connectivity challenge surrounding EVs”
– Aims to improve internet connectivity at charging locations
– Cites learnings about on-street EV charging challenges
* Industry perspective and challenges:
– Overall rollout of charging points is exceeding earlier predictions
– Most new installations are in busy areas rather than residential streets
– Ford raised concerns about EV transition timeline in November 2024
– Government launched consultation with automotive industry about petrol/diesel car phase-out
* Government response and investment:
– £6 billion of private investment expected by 2030
– £2.3 billion government investment committed to support EV switch
– Maintains target to end new petrol/diesel car sales by 2030
– Consulting with automotive and charging industries on transition plans