British telecommunications giant BT Group has unveiled a groundbreaking plan to repurpose its existing street cabinets into publicly accessible Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) chargers. This initiative aims to address the challenge of ensuring EVs always have access to charging infrastructure.
In a proactive move to promote widespread EV adoption, BT Group has already completed the first conversion of a telecom cabinet into an EV charger in East Lothian, Scotland.
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The company intends to expand this initiative across Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland in the coming months, with plans to convert up to 600 cabinets by the end of 2024.
By retrofitting these street cabinets, known as DSLAM boxes, BT Group leverages existing digital infrastructure to support EV charging networks without the need for extensive construction or additional power connections. The innovative device developed by BT enables electricity from the DSLAM unit to be shared with a charge point, facilitating convenient access to charging facilities alongside existing broadband services.
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Each converted street cabinet will offer two Level 2 AC connections, capable of delivering a full charge to EVs within 6 to 8 hours. With thousands of existing DSLAM boxes earmarked for conversion, BT Group aims to significantly contribute to the UK government’s objective of deploying 300,000 EV chargers nationwide.
This initiative underscores BT Group’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, leveraging its extensive infrastructure to drive the transition to electric mobility while maximizing the utility of existing resources.
