UK-based EV infrastructure operator Plug Charging has launched a lamp column charging pilot in Cardiff which demonstrates a scalable model for on-street EV infrastructure.
The model, which can be deployed across towns and cities nationwide, was delivered in partnership with Cardiff Council. It will initially install 80 lamp column chargers across the city, and will be operational by the end of April.
While geographically focused in Cardiff, the pilot has been designed as a repeatable and investment-ready solution for wider rollout, it said.
By retrofitting existing street lighting infrastructure, the model reduces installation costs, civil works, and grid reinforcement requirements compared to traditional other solutions, it claimed.
Plug Charging’s model also enables faster deployment while maintaining a lower infrastructure footprint, it added.
All sites were selected following feasibility assessments, with a focus on accessibility, safety, and minimal disruption to the public realm. Chargers are positioned to eliminate trailing cables and support practical residential charging, particularly for overnight dwell times.
A core component of the model is its reinvestment structure. Revenue generated is directed back into future EV infrastructure, alongside contributions to community initiatives, aligning commercial delivery with local social value.
Jarrad Morris, CEO of Plug Charging, said:
“Launching in Cardiff allows us to demonstrate the model in a real-world urban environment, but the broader objective is clear: to deliver a scalable, national network built on existing infrastructure.”
Carl Morris, Technical Director at Plug Charging, said:
“This pilot shows how lamp column charging can address residential access challenges in a practical and repeatable way. The same approach can be applied in cities across the UK with similar constraints around off-street parking.”
Image courtesy of Plug Charging
