Bringing Charging Solutions to City Drivers
Imagine the convenience of charging your electric vehicle (EV) as easily as parking near a lamppost. That’s the innovative solution being put forth by Voltpost, which aims to transform the everyday lamppost into an efficient charging station for urban EV drivers, including those in bustling metros like New York and Chicago. Co-founder and CEO Jeff Prosserman describes Voltpost’s mission to weave EV charging infrastructure into the city’s existing landscape, heralding a new era of convenience and sustainability.
Efficient and User-Friendly Design
With a swift one to two-hour setup and maintenance that’s as hassle-free as it gets, Voltpost’s modular system features either two or four charging ports per lamppost with a generous 20-foot cable. The hardware is proudly manufactured within the United States and promises to be an upgradable solution that grows alongside technological advances.
Tapping into Existing Infrastructure
Voltpost ingeniously capitalizes on the already established electricity flowing through light poles, as outlined by Autoblog. The implementation sidesteps the costly and disruptive need for excavation to lay down new electrical lines. While these chargers may not offer rapid charging, overnight energy top-ups become a convenient reality for locals.
Challenges and Considerations
Potential users might wonder about compatibility issues, especially with the rising adoption of the Tesla NACS charging standard across North America. Additionally, security measures against vandalism are critical given the uptick in charging cable thefts for their copper content.
Targeting Charging Deserts
Urgently needed in “charging deserts” where access to private parking and EV infrastructure is scarce, Voltpost’s system is especially advantageous for apartment dwellers. Quick deployment can usher in much-needed charging options in underserved communities, thereby boosting EV adoption in high-density urban locales.
Intuitive Charge Management with a Mobile App
Voltpost’s platform is designed for minimal downtime and serviceability. An integral mobile app lets users reserve, track, and pay for their charging, while offering a map of charger availability. For stakeholders, it provides essential analytics and remote monitoring features.
Voltpost advisor Laura Fox believes this model is the key to unlocking the potential of urban EV charging, upgrading infrastructure affordably, and preparing it for future technological integrations such as 5G and e-bike charging stations.
Voltpost in Action: A Successful Pilot Program
A recent collaboration between Voltpost and the New York City Department of Transportation, as part of the Newlab‘s Studio program, resulted in practical insights for the scaling and commercialization of their lamppost chargers, revealing excellent uptime performance and installation efficiency.
Understanding the Impact of Voltpost’s Technology
Although the electrical specifics are yet to be revealed, the concept rests on the availability of current in lampposts nationwide, raising questions about the charging durations for various EVs and the management of parking logistics around these new urban chargers.
While curbside charging through Voltpost presents an appealing solution to city-bound EV owners, it is the ongoing feedback and refinement that will ultimately perfect these systems, aligning theory with the practical needs of EV users as we transition into a more electric-driven era of urban mobility.
