Voltpost and InCharge Energy are deploying electric vehicle chargers by retrofitting existing lampposts and utility poles in several U.S. cities [1, 2].
This initiative targets the critical gap in urban charging infrastructure, specifically for drivers who lack private garages or home charging options [5]. By utilizing existing city assets, the companies aim to reduce the cost and time associated with building standalone charging sites from the ground up [2].
Deployments are currently starting in New York, Connecticut, and California [1, 2]. The rollout also includes Washington D.C., where the project is supported by energy grants [2, 3]. In Salem, the infrastructure is becoming visible through the installation of power cables emerging from gray boxes on power poles [4].
"Voltpost retrofits existing street lights and utility poles into Level 2 electric vehicle chargers," Jeff Prosserman, the company's co-founder and CEO, said [3]. These Level 2 chargers [3] provide a slower but more consistent charge suitable for overnight or long-term street parking.
In some regions, the expansion is scaling quickly. Reports indicate that 30 such installations are being integrated into the local power grid in specific areas [4]. This approach allows municipalities to bypass the extensive excavation and permitting processes required for traditional charging hubs.
Local governments are increasingly looking for ways to integrate EV support into the existing urban fabric. In Washington D.C., the city is utilizing diesel emission fees to help fund the transition toward these curbside chargers [5]. This strategy transforms passive street furniture into active energy nodes without requiring additional sidewalk space.
“"Voltpost retrofits existing street lights and utility poles into Level 2 electric vehicle chargers,"”
The shift toward lamppost charging represents a pivot in urban planning, treating the city's existing electrical grid as a distributed network rather than relying on centralized hubs. By lowering the barrier to entry for curbside charging, cities can accelerate EV adoption among renters and apartment dwellers who have historically been excluded from the transition due to a lack of home charging access.
