Virgin Media’s plan to install and operate 1,200 EV charge points across the UK will be supported by Vattenfall. The Swedish energy company has been announced as a delivery partner for the project, which will be called Virgin Media Park & Charge.
Made up of a consortium of organisation – including Innovate UK, Cenex, Loughborough University, Fully Charged, and Connected Kerb – Virgin Media Park & Charge looks to use the 40,000 powered street cabinets and 105,600 miles of ducts across the UK to provide improved on-street EV charge points.
Able to access existing infrastructure in place for Virgin Media’s telecommunications and entertainment systems, roll-out is expected to be simpler than starting from scratch. The aim is to provide charge points with improved connectivity and reduced street furniture.
Jason Simpson, Vice President Global Energy and Utilities for Liberty Global (the company behind Virgin Media), said: “Leveraging street cabinets allows Liberty Global to look beyond traditional uses of telecom infrastructure and make a positive impact on the environment and in communities throughout the UK.
“By bringing more electric vehicle chargers and associated connectivity to Britain’s streets, we are making a significant contribution to Innovate UK’s ambition to encourage more people to buy electric cars. We’re excited to be working with a wide array of partners who each bring their own areas of expertise to this exciting and innovative project.”
