Electric vehicle charging start-up Trojan Energy has launched a new project to install its ‘world-first’ technology across two London boroughs.
The Subsurface Technology for Electric Pathways (STEP) project will see 200 chargers installed across Brent and Camden. The charge points slot into the ground, with a flat and flush connection, as such there is no permanent footprint and the charger is only visible when a vehicle is charging.
Trojan’s charge point technology is made up of two parts; a charge point in the ground and a ‘lance’ that is inserted into the charge point for charging.
They can provide charge rates from 2kW to 22kW, and up to 18 can be fitted in parallel from one electricity network connection. Additionally, EV owners can use the points to provide spare capacity in their batteries for network operator services.
Cllr Shama Tatler, the lead member for Regeneration, Property and Planning at the London Borough of Brent said they were “thrilled” to be among the first to try these “innovative new charging points”.
“Electric vehicles will play an important part in improving our local air quality which we know can have a detrimental impact on people’s health. I hope these discreet curbside chargers will make electric vehicles accessible for more people and get us one step closer to our aim of becoming a zero carbon borough.”
STEP was awarded £3 million in co-funding from Innovate UK to help fill entire streets with charge points, ensuring no matter where a driver parks there are points available.
Trojan Energy – which was set up by a team of ex-oil industry engineers to utilize their subsea skills for the energy transition – is working with Element Energy as a strategic energy consultant for the project, along with UK Power Networks, Birmingham City Council, the University of Leans and Octopus Energy for the trial.
The company’s managing director Ian Mackenzie said they were grateful for the support they’d received from the consortium partners and Innovate UK.
“This backing will allow us to bring our discreet curbside charging to cities where the need to transition to EVs is greatest. Our technology will allow us to electrify whole streets at a fraction of the cost of traditional charging infrastructure and without the need for curbside clutter.
“We are really looking forward to the challenge of bringing this revolutionary new solution to London and beyond.”
