Charging point

For an electric car that charges up over night when there is plenty of time, charging is very simple: just plug into a domestic 13 amp socket. The Lambeth charging point is about charging up at the road side. Therefore a key part of the facility is a 13 amp socket at the roadside. This is the charging post pioneered by London Electricity plc (London Electricity produced a press release on 15 April 1999 entitled "UK’s First Pavement Electric Car Plugged-in").

Since sockets are not common at the roadside (yet), another key part is reserved parking. This was provided by the London Borough of Lambeth (details below).

Details of the charging post

The charging post was conceived, specified and developed by London Electricity plc. Construction was by Superpitch Ltd (Emlyn Miller, Conduit Road, Conduit Industrial Estate, Norton Canes, Cannock, Staffs WS11 3TJ, tel. 01543 270987, fax 01543 276044).

On costs, the standard connection charge of about £1000 was paid by Simon Roberts. Otherwise all other costs of several thousands of pounds were borne by London Electricity as part of their commitment to developing and evaluating the concept of on-street charging.

Specification: 230 V, 13 A, earthed, dual-rate metered with time switch, 3-pin outlet to BS4343, overall height 1.6 m, width 0.23 m, depth, 0.23 m, distance from kerb edge 0.45 m.

Details of reserved parking

Link to the full report copied at the S4S site.

Provision of facilities on the public highway for recharging an electrically propelled vehicle

Report to the Transport Planning Sub-Committee of 16th January 1997

PURPOSE: This report concerns the installation of an electrical power supply and road markings, on the public highway, for the recharging of an electrically propelled vehicle. RESULT: The Committee agreed to:-

1. Granting a licence, under section 181 of the Highways Act 1980 to the resident and vehicle owner for placing electrical cabling and associated duct in the footway outside the resident's property.

2. Marking an advisory parking bay to diagram 1032 of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994 on the carriageway outside the property.

Location of the charging facility

See location page.