BERLIN: Automakers are working on technology that will enable electric cars to park at street lights to charge up.
BMW’s MINI demonstrated this new technology, called the Light & Charge system, at the carmaker’s plant as part of Low Carbon Oxford Week.
The street lights would provide efficient LED lighting and could be integrated at any location where there’s a street light (or where one can be installed) and where parking is available.
Drivers would be able to connect to the street light using a standard charging cable. A control panel on the light would allow drivers to operate the charging unit with the swipe of a card, regardless of the vehicle model.
“Light & Charge is a simple and innovative solution which aims to integrate a charging station network into the urban landscape and this is essential if we want to see more electric vehicles on the road in our cities in the future. I’m delighted that the MINI plant is the first location in the UK to showcase BMW Group’s technological expertise not only in developing electric vehicles but also as part of a much wider commitment to electric mobility,” Frank Bachmann, Managing Director, MINI Plant Oxford, said in a statement.
Replacing conventional street lights with Light & Charge systems could not only provide a cost-effective and practical solution, but also has the potential to significantly reduce energy consumption across cities, according to MINI.
