Description:

Introduction: Roadside street cabinets could play a significant role in the EV revolution because they are fixtures in almost any community with an internet connection. The telecom infrastructure that connects a local public telephone exchange with individual properties to allow phone calls and broadband services can be converted to offer curbside charging points as well. Deutsche Telekom, a German telecom company, announced plans to turn 12,000 street cabinets into charging stations in 2018. 

Deutsche Telekom has commissioned its first public electric car charging stations in Bonn and Darmstadt (in Germany) as it aims to build a nationwide network by upgrading parts of its existing telecommunications infrastructure to become charging stations. Major broadband companies in two of Europe’s largest markets are involved in projects to adapt their roadside cabinets to provide on-street electric car charging facilities. 

The projects will help drivers who have no opportunity to install a domestic electric car charger switch to zero emission power. Leveraging street cabinets allows the world to look beyond traditional uses of telecom infrastructure and make a positive impact on the environment and in communities throughout the globe, by bringing more electric vehicle chargers and associated connectivity to streets.

Advantages:

• Combining the technology into existing sites helps to optimize energy efficiency and reduce electricity costs
• It supports Fast Charging Mechanism hence gives a good range in less amount of time
• Optimize operating costs by ensuring maximum availability of charging services
• Helps to ensure the availability of charging stations in remote locations.

Process: The roadside cabinets will get separate power supplies and digital metering points. Each of its charging stations can supply two vehicles with 11 kW each through type-2 charging plugs. This is sufficient to supply enough power in one hour for a range of 50-75 kilometres, depending on the vehicle. Fast charging technologies are being introduced to reduce the time of charging.

Commercialization: Delta, Tesla, Virgin Group and many more.