Brighton on the Charge!

01 October 2009

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Brighton is set to become the UK’s most electric vehicle (EV)-friendly city outside London, with plans to install 20 Elektrobay roadside charging stations over the coming year.  As part of a concerted effort to encourage zero-emissions motoring in the city, councillors have given the go ahead to install an initial 10 Elektrobays in Brighton by the end of 2009, with a further 10 planned for installation early next year. 

Brighton-based Elektromotive developed and manufacturers the innovative Elektrobay charging station, and will be responsible for the implementation of the project.  Since 2006, the company has successfully established a network of more than 100 roadside charging stations in London, many of which are used around-the-clock by EV users.

Elektromotive has already completed installation of four Elektrobays at pilot sites – with two located at Bartholomews in the city centre, and another two in Ditchling Road near The Level.  The units will be in full working order in preparation for the official launch at 12:00 noon on Friday 2nd October outside the Town Hall. 
The remaining Elektrobays will be installed in two phases.  Funded by Civitas, the clean transportation specialists, the first 10 Elektrobays will be sited in central Brighton.  A further 10 charging stations will be subsidised by another organisation and will be located in other, yet-to-be-confirmed, parts of Brighton and Hove city. 
“We have installed the Elektrobay in locations across the country, as well as in Europe and even Saudi Arabia, but this project is especially exciting for us as it is taking place in our home town,” commented Managing Director of Elektromotive, Calvey Taylor-Haw.

“By encouraging drivers to switch to electric, Brighton will benefit hugely.  There will be less air pollution and local residents will appreciate the quiet of EVs.  The installation of the Elektrobays will take place over a short period of time, providing EV users with rapid access to charging facilities.”

Compatible with all pure electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, the Elektrobay’s simple-to-operate functionality makes it the ideal solution for public EV charging.  The single socket unit has a power supply of 13 amps – the same as a household plug – and is fully safety-compliant for consumers and pedestrians.  Consumers access the Elektrobay’s power supply using a personalised wireless key fob that opens the door at the front of the unit.  To prevent interference from a third party, the door locks shut when charging is in progress.

To prevent a trip hazard for pedestrians, including the blind and partially sighted, a highly visible yellow coiled cable is provided to all Elektrobay consumers, which extends to 3.5 metres, sitting at waist height when charging is in progress.  For the design of the Elektrobay, Elektromotive worked in close consultation with local authorities and opted for a single socket in each unit to allow pedestrians to safely access the pavement when the charging lead is plugged in to an EV.  Elektromotive points out that a charging station with cables running to two EVs creates a cordon that obstructs pedestrian access to and from the pavement.

For more information on Elektromotive, visit http://www.elektromotive.com/

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