Urban Fox has won a contract with Newport City Council to install 120 EV chargers directly onto existing streetlamps across the Welsh city. The project represents one of the first lamp post EV charging networks in Wales and addresses the growing need for accessible charging infrastructure, particularly in areas with limited off-street parking options.
The installation approach aims to preserve pavement space by utilising existing infrastructure rather than building new charging stations. This method helps maintain accessibility for pedestrians and preserves the character of residential streets while expanding EV charging options for van operators and tradespeople who need to charge at home.
Urban Fox operates as a partnership between Balfour Beatty Investments and Urban Electric Networks, offering end-to-end solutions from funding and planning to installation and maintenance. The company provides various EV charging solutions, including the retractable UEone chargepoint which is described as the first of its kind.
Oli Freeling-Wilkinson, CEO of Urban Fox, said: “This is a hugely exciting moment for Urban Fox. 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.”
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.”
Councillor Yvonne Forsey, cabinet member for climate change, added: “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.”
