BT Group and its digital incubation arm Etc. has unveiled its first location to trial converting street cabinets to electric vehicle charging points in East Lothian, Scotland.
It is the first step in the rollout of new trials exploring the possibility to upgrade up to 60,000 street cabinet traditionally used to store broadband and phone cabling to help meet government sustainability targets and decarbonise the transport system in the UK.
Further pilots are set to roll out across the UK in the coming months.
Etc. at BT Group managing director Tony Guy said its trial is a “huge step” in addressing “key barriers customers are currently facing”.
BT Group’s recent research found that 60% of people think the UK’s EV charging infrastructure is inadequate, with 78% of petrol and diesel drivers saying not being able to conveniently charge an EV is a barrier to getting one.
“Working closely with local councils in Scotland and more widely across the UK, we are at a critical stage of our journey in tackling a very real customer problem that sits at the heart of our wider purpose to connect for good,” he added.
“This is a key step in our mission to build products and services right now that work for the future, with positive transformation at the heart.”
