Big city charging issues may soon be a thing of the past, as Voltpost launches an integrated lamppost EV charging solution. Voltpost intends to solve the EV charging issue in big cities by retrofitting lampposts into modular and upgradable AC Level 2 charging points. Urban EV drivers living in multi-unit housing usually need more dedicated parking spaces and have nowhere to charge an EV near their home, prompting Voltpost to seek a solution.

The company recently announced the commercial availability of its first product, which adds two or even four charging ports to an existing lamppost with a very short installation time of about one to two hours.

Voltpost charging points will be installed this spring in major US metro areas, including New York, Chicago, and Detroit.

Once a lamppost is retrofitted with the charging system, it comes online and is available in the company’s mobile application. Standard functionality includes finding available chargers, making reservations, tracking charging events, payments, and other insights.

The Voltpost EV system is equipped with an integrated retractable cable management system to enable easy access to charging from nearby parking spots. It has 20 feet of cable, so in most cases, it should reach the charging inlet, regardless of its location in a particular vehicle.

The second special feature that makes charging easier is a unique plug with a 90-degree angle cable, so it will only take up a little space. It’s important to minimize a hazard to adjacent traffic and pedestrians.

Overall, Voltpost would like to offer a charging solution that reduces the cost and time of installation and does not take up much additional space. No construction, trenching, or extensive permitting processes are required, and the cost is significantly lower compared to a new, stand-alone charging point.

Jeff Prosserman, the co-founder and CEO of Voltpost, said:

“Voltpost is striving to make EV chargers as common as the traditional lamppost. We are empowering people with convenient and affordable charging access that fits into the fabric of the built environment. As we bring our differentiated curbside and parking lot charging solution to market, we are confident that Voltpost will build more sustainable and resilient communities by decarbonizing mobility.”

A car charging at a Voltpost Lamppost EV charging solution.

Let’s take a look at the Voltpost curbside EV charging solution’s prominant features:

• An integrated retractable cable management system in the charger that maximizes uptime and lowers operating and maintenance costs. This system has 20 feet of cable for convenient access to any part of the vehicle.
• A flexible and adaptive design for various use cases and environments, accommodating either two or four charging ports.
• Safety features exceeding the industry standard specifications for environmental exposure and vandalism.
• A proprietary ChargePlug with a pulsing light which routes the cable at a 90˚ angle to the car socket. This ensures that the cable does not present a hazard to adjacent traffic and pedestrians.
• A modular platform design allowing for quick and easy exchanges and upgrades. The design maximizes uptime, reduces operating and maintenance costs and supports smart city services including connectivity and grid services.
• A mobile application enabling drivers to manage charging events. Drivers have access to a map of available and in-use Voltpost chargers with the power to make reservations, track charging events, pay based on electricity consumed, and gain insights on financial and environmental savings.
• Charge Station Management System (CSMS) that provides charging analytics for public and private stakeholders. The CSMS enables site hosts to set charger features including pricing and remotely monitor chargers.

The Voltpost chargers are an interesting idea, although it will probably still need a significant investment to retrofit localized lampposts, make the nearby parking spots available for EVs, and have a long-term policy so an urban EV owner won’t have to be worried whether the charging points will disappear in a year or two.