Newport City Council has awarded Urban Fox a contract to install one of the first lamp post electric vehicle (EV) charging networks in Wales.
Urban Fox – a partnership between Balfour Beatty Investments and Urban Electric Networks – called the deal a “landmark” and a “significant milestone” for the company, as well as for the country’s transition to sustainable transport.
A total of 120 chargers will be installed across Newport, with some streets featuring multiple units. Instead of building new infrastructure, the chargers will be installed directly onto existing streetlamps to maximise pavement space, improve accessibility, and maintain the character of the residential streets.
Councillor Yvonne Forsey, Newport’s cabinet member for climate change, said: “We are continuing to look for innovative ways to expand the coverage of our charging network. These new chargers are perfect for streets where there is limited pavement space to install a more traditional charging unit. We’ve already been shown to be providing the best coverage in Wales for houses with no access to off-street parking, and these installations will only improve that level of coverage.”
Oli Freeling-Wilkinson, chief executive of Urban Fox, said: “This is a hugely exciting moment for Urban Fox. Securing our first-ever contract and delivering one of Wales’ first lamp post EV chargers is a major milestone in our mission to revolutionise on-street charging.
“By seamlessly integrating chargers into existing infrastructure, we’re not only cutting costs and reducing street clutter but also making EV charging more accessible than ever. This is about unlocking the full potential of our streets and helping even more people transition to cleaner, greener transport. We’re proud to be playing our part in the charge towards a net zero future, and this is just the beginning.”
Urban Fox was established to address the growing need for accessible and innovative EV charging infrastructure. The partnership provides end-to-end solutions, from funding and planning to installation and maintenance and offers a comprehensive range of EV charging solutions, including the retractable UEone charge point, which is the first of its kind.
Ion Appuhamy, managing director of Balfour Beatty Investments, said: “Securing this contract with Newport Council marks a significant milestone for Urban Fox and is testament to our commitment to driving innovative, sustainable solutions which will enable the members of the public to play their part in the UK’s Net Zero agenda.”
Image credit: CHUTTERSNAP/Unsplash
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