Details of a new project with Vattenfall and Virgin Media claims to “revolutionise” on-street electric vehicle charging, with 1,200 charging sockets deployed across the UK over the next 18 months.

The project will see 1,200 charging sockets installed across the UK over the next 18 months

The project – named Virgin Media Park & Charge – will see on-street charge points make use of Virgin Media’s 40,000 powered street cabinets and 105,000 miles of ducting.

The project has been created as part of a 19-strong consortium, including Liberty Global (a global broadband and communications company), Vattenfall, Virgin Media and is in partnership with Innovate UK – the UK Government’s research and innovation department. Its aim is to help local authorities find a solution to limited on-street electric vehicle charging points and thereby encourage more people to use electric vehicles. In addition to tapping Virgin Media’s powered network infrastructure, the project utilises the UK operator’s construction and deployment capabilities and its trusted relationships with local authority partners.

The project aims to deploy 1,200 charging sockets across the country over the next 18 months. The rollout of electric vehicle charging stations using Virgin Media’s connectivity will build a fully scalable electric vehicle charging network, helping the UK government move closer to its goal of reducing net carbon emissions to zero by 2050, the company said.

Although rollout is expected nationwide, several local authorities including the West Midlands Combined Authority as well as Councils in Oxfordshire, Liverpool, Southend on Sea, Worcestershire, Wandsworth, Croydon, Northamptonshire, Hammersmith & Fulham and Belfast are also involved in the project.

Jason Simpson, vice president Global Energy and Utilities for Liberty Global, commented, “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.”