Voltpost, a company specializing in EV charging solutions, has launched its innovative lamppost EV charger in several major US cities. The company is actively involved in developing and deploying EV charging projects in urban centers like New York, Chicago, Detroit, and others.
The unique feature of Voltpost’s technology is its ability to retrofit lampposts into a modular and upgradable Level 2 EV charging platform, controlled through a mobile app. According to Voltpost, this platform offers EV drivers convenient and affordable charging options while significantly reducing installation costs, time, maintenance, and the chargers’ physical footprint.
An important advantage of Voltpost’s solution is its ease of installation. The company claims it can install a lamppost charger inexpensively in just one to two hours without the need for construction, trenching, or extensive permitting processes. This streamlined installation process is expected to bring more EV charging infrastructure to underserved communities and high-density areas.
Voltpost gained valuable insights from its participation in the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Studio program, where it installed chargers on lampposts at Newlab in Brooklyn and in a DOT parking lot. The chargers were praised for their quick installation, high uptime, and positive feedback from EV drivers.
The lamppost EV chargers feature 20 feet of retractable cable and a charge plug with a pulsing light that directs the cable at a 90-degree angle to the car socket, minimizing hazards to pedestrians and traffic. The system can accommodate either two or four charging ports and includes a mobile app that allows drivers to manage charging, make reservations, track charging, and view stats on financial and environmental savings.
Furthermore, the chargers are equipped with a Charge Station Management System that provides charging analytics for public and private stakeholders. Site hosts can set charger features, including pricing, and remotely monitor chargers.
Laura Fox, a Voltpost adviser and cofounder of Streetlife Ventures, commented on the technology, saying, “Voltpost’s solution is a practical option for urban curbside charging. It uses and upgrades existing urban infrastructure (lampposts) for a fraction of the cost of traditional approaches, while enabling future urban use cases for that infrastructure, from 5G installs to air quality monitoring, e-bike charging, and more.”
