TESTIMONIALS

“This is a great project and a great example of using Oxford as a ‘living lab’ to get new ideas on the ground fast to benefit residents. The pilot element of the project is a learning experience – identifying the best charging solutions for different situations and locations and using our assets in better, smarter ways will help minimise costs. We hope to take what we have learnt from this project and look at how we can support on street charging across the whole of Oxfordshire.”

– Councillor Ian Hudspeth, Oxfordshire County Council leader

The vehicle charging stations are now in situ amongst the residential streets of Oxford, marking the largest scheme of its type to place throughout the world.  Oxford secured an £800,000 grant as part of a £40m fund from the Go Ultra Low Cities Scheme. The project utilises a range of technologies from Franklin Energy including smart chargers attached to lampposts, to Franklin Energy’s robust pedestal charging points through manufacturing partners Ensto. In applying a range of technologies, the council is able to identify which application is most suited for residents use before a wider scale roll out begins.

Rob Byrne, Managing Director of Franklin Energy commented:

“This is a really important scheme that sends out an important message to the people of Oxford in reassuring them that the infrastructure will be in place if they choose to go down the EV route. We know that the electric vehicle is the future and its through schemes like this that drivers will be encouraged to make that switch where residents have no access to off street parking.”

The chargers will be managed Franklin Energy in association with New Motion and renewable electricity supplier, Good Energy.
Under phase one of the scheme, 30 charging station will be installed, 10 of which will be available to the general public, 10 used for individual households and a further 10 in use by the councils Co-wheels Car Club, an EV car-pooling project.

The scheme, which will be closely monitored, will provide important information and analysis on driver habits and preferences and will be shared with other councils, groups and organisations exploring the EV concept.