The UK Roadside EV Charger
Discussion
Can't really find much other info apart from a Facearse reel.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1586039078874063
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1586039078874063
This isn't new, https://chargearm.com/en/ has been around since at least 2022. I guess SGS have simply taken on a UK franchise for ChargeArm.
In principle it's a good idea, although it obviously does rely on your being able to park outside your home.
It would work best with something like a Leaf where the charge point is in the centre of the front grille, because then you could get the cable drop nicely away from the pavement.
With most EVs though, I think it would benefit from an arm slightly longer than the pavement is wide, and a custom Type 2 plug on the end of the wire, guiding the cable upwards from the charging port - that would minimise any obstruction/temptation to passing pedestrians.
A longer arm would also give you perhaps a couple of 'spaces' you could park in, giving a bit more flexibility.
The action of opening the arm didn't look that smooth in the video, I'd hope for something a bit easier (or even electrically powered).
So I like the principle, but would benefit from a few tweaks I think.
In the bigger picture, this sort of lateral thinking is exactly the sort of approach we need in order to allow EVs to work for more people. Whether it's this or cable gulleys or chargers integrated into the kerb etc, we need solutions.
In principle it's a good idea, although it obviously does rely on your being able to park outside your home.
It would work best with something like a Leaf where the charge point is in the centre of the front grille, because then you could get the cable drop nicely away from the pavement.
With most EVs though, I think it would benefit from an arm slightly longer than the pavement is wide, and a custom Type 2 plug on the end of the wire, guiding the cable upwards from the charging port - that would minimise any obstruction/temptation to passing pedestrians.
A longer arm would also give you perhaps a couple of 'spaces' you could park in, giving a bit more flexibility.
The action of opening the arm didn't look that smooth in the video, I'd hope for something a bit easier (or even electrically powered).
So I like the principle, but would benefit from a few tweaks I think.
In the bigger picture, this sort of lateral thinking is exactly the sort of approach we need in order to allow EVs to work for more people. Whether it's this or cable gulleys or chargers integrated into the kerb etc, we need solutions.
wc98 said:
vikingaero said:
In the UK the Chargearm will be a lovely swing for Master Chaveley-Warner and all his miscreant friends.
A lovely source of scrap copper wire as well for those that work in the field.vikingaero said:
In the UK the Chargearm will be a lovely swing for Master Chaveley-Warner and all his miscreant friends.
The local window cleaner with his ladder slung over his shoulder might get there first, unless those staggering out of the nearby pub fancy a few chin-ups and beat him to it.An Aberdeen based company called Trojan Energy are working on an underground option which is less likely to be vandalized (I would think/hope), probably a better solution although with differing installation challenges.
https://trojan.energy/products/hub
https://trojan.energy/products/hub
AKjr said:
An Aberdeen based company called Trojan Energy are working on an underground option which is less likely to be vandalized (I would think/hope), probably a better solution although with differing installation challenges.
https://trojan.energy/products/hub
https://trojan.energy/products/hub
Councils will probably not want unknown firms tampering with their pavements.
Think of the extortionate charges involved, for a council to install dropped kerbs.
This is bound to fail in mainland UK in a large town or city given the fabric of society, which in many ways can't be trusted with public amenities.
Yobbishness and delinquency in the UK will mean that these and EVs will be mindlessly vandalised.
By comparison, I've been to Bucharest a number of times, where things like self-cleaning public toilets, water fountains and water taps are commonplace and respected. I shudder to imagine what having them in the UK would be like given the public can't be trusted to respect bus shelters. It's the fabric of society that plays a massive part. Things like these and the above could work in somewhere like the Channel Islands, but less so on the mainland unless it's a remote town, village or hamlet.
IMO there needs to be development of wireless charging technology and a move to that, especially in bigger cities.
Yobbishness and delinquency in the UK will mean that these and EVs will be mindlessly vandalised.
By comparison, I've been to Bucharest a number of times, where things like self-cleaning public toilets, water fountains and water taps are commonplace and respected. I shudder to imagine what having them in the UK would be like given the public can't be trusted to respect bus shelters. It's the fabric of society that plays a massive part. Things like these and the above could work in somewhere like the Channel Islands, but less so on the mainland unless it's a remote town, village or hamlet.
IMO there needs to be development of wireless charging technology and a move to that, especially in bigger cities.
Jon39 said:
AKjr said:
An Aberdeen based company called Trojan Energy are working on an underground option which is less likely to be vandalized (I would think/hope), probably a better solution although with differing installation challenges.
https://trojan.energy/products/hub
https://trojan.energy/products/hub
Councils will probably not want unknown firms tampering with their pavements.
Think of the extortionate charges involved, for a council to install dropped kerbs.
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