Liberty Global sets sights on sparking on-street EV charging

Liberty Global is utilising the network infrastructure of its UK subsidiary Virgin Media with the aim of improving on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging. The telecoms company says it will utilise Virgin Media’s 40,000 powered street cabinets and 170,000 km of ducts as part of a partnership with Innovate UK. Jason Simpson, Liberty’s vice president global energy and utilities, says the street cabinets allow the company to “look beyond traditional uses of telecom infrastructure and make a positive impact
November 15, 2019 Read time: 2 mins

Liberty Global is utilising the network infrastructure of its UK subsidiary Virgin Media with the aim of improving on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging.

The telecoms company says it will utilise Virgin Media’s 40,000 powered street cabinets and 170,000 km of ducts as part of a partnership with Innovate UK.

Jason Simpson, Liberty’s vice president global energy and utilities, says the street cabinets allow the company 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 EV 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,” he adds.

Over the next 18 months, Liberty is to deploy and operate 1,200 charging sockets across the UK. The rollout of EV charging stations which use Virgin Media’s connectivity will build a scalable charging network, the company adds.

Liberty is taking part in the project as part of the Virgin Media Park & Charge consortium whose members include delivery companies such as Vattenfall, tech firms like Cenex and 2223 Loughborough University. Other members include councils in Oxfordshire, London’s Hammersmith & Fulham and Belfast.

Related Content

  • Big wheels keep on turnin’
    August 21, 2018
    Many of the great and the good in the global mobility sector gathered at this year’s Movin’ On event in Montreal. Measured regulation of technologies and safety issues were major themes, reports David Arminas. *Bibendum is the original name for the Michelin Man, the symbol of the Michelin tyre company Autonomous vehicles, platooning, smart intersections and safety – these were the talking points over two-and-a-half days of the Movin’ On event in Montreal, Canada. Everyone in the mobility sector is at the
    Read More
  • Swarco eVolt appoints Siemens’ Anne Buckingham as head of sales
    January 18, 2019
    UK-based Swarco eVolt has named Anne Buckingham, former head of electromobility at Siemens, as head of sales – effective 11 February. Swarco eVolt, an electric vehicle (EV) charging business, also plans to launch a series of e-mobility products and services in 2019. It includes the release of new 100KW and 150KW versions of the Raption Rapid Charger, an all-in-one solution in which the power module is housed within the main unit. Justin Meyer, general manager at Swarco eVolt, says: “In 2018 we recorded a
    Read More
  • Swarco covers charges in Cornwall
    June 27, 2022
    Four-year EV smart infrastructure network deal for holiday region in south-west of England
    Read More
  • Nissan and Ecotricity call for signs to put EVs on the map
    October 23, 2015
    Nissan, manufacturer of the Nissan Leaf electric vehicle (EV), and Ecotricity, which operates one of Europe’s rapid charging network, the Electric Highway, have called on the UK government to introduce official road signage for the UK’s growing number of standard and rapid EV charging points. Despite there being more than 9,000 EV charging points nationwide, there is still no official, recognisable signage available to direct motorists to them. Nissan and Ecotricity claim the time is right for the ne
    Read More

Highlighted Content