Our Story

Launched in 2018, Charge My Street is a pioneering initiative aimed at promoting electric vehicle (EV) adoption by expanding the charging infrastructure in residential areas and community settings.

We are community benefit society with a team of part time staff and 70 volunteers which installs and operates over 150 community EV chargepoints, raising money through community shares & public funding. Our vision is for every home to be within a 5-minute walk of a chargepoint, giving residents without off-street parking the opportunity to switch to an electric vehicle, lowing CO2e & improving air quality across the North West of England, and beyond.

The Challenge

The key challenges and barriers to success of a street charging infrastructure depends on several factors. Here are some key challenges that we have encountered:

• Location and Coverage: The placement of charging stations is crucial as it is essential to have a well-distributed network of charging stations. Streets with high traffic volumes, both residential and commercial, are ideal candidates.
• Charging Speed and Capacity: The charging infrastructure should support various charging speeds to cater to different types of EVs and user needs. Networks must also be able to handle multiple vehicles charging simultaneously, especially in areas with high EV adoption.
• Reliability and Availability: Reliability is crucial for a successful street charging system.
• User-Friendly Experience: Providing a seamless experience encourages more people to adopt EVs and use the street charging infrastructure.
• Pricing and Payment: The pricing structure should be transparent, reasonable, and competitive with other charging options.
• Integration with Other Services: Integration with navigation systems, mobile apps, and other services can enhance the overall experience.
• Scalability and Future-Proofing: A successful street charging infrastructure should have the ability to scale up as EV adoption increases.
• Collaboration and Partnerships: Collaboration among various stakeholders, including local governments, utility companies, private businesses, and EV manufacturers, can help ensure the success of street charging.

Our Solution

Charge My Street works to ensure that the above challenges constantly frame the context in which we create our solutions. However, there is no such thing as a standard installation within this industry and all locations have their quirks, it is therefore important to work proactively with local stakeholders to achieve a successful installation. We focus on establishing community-based charging networks. By partnering with local communities, residents, and businesses, the initiative aims to install EV charging points in strategic locations that are easily accessible to residents and visitors. These charging points are strategically placed in residential streets, community centres, workplaces, and other public areas.

Moreover, Charge My Street emphasises the use of renewable energy sources to power the charging infrastructure. This commitment to sustainability sets the initiative apart by promoting clean energy usage throughout the EV charging process. By leveraging renewable sources such as solar and wind power, Charge My Street reduces the environmental impact associated with electric vehicle charging, making it an even more eco-friendly choice for transportation.

To fund these initiatives, Charge My Street employs a combination of government grants, private investments, and community fundraising. The financial model ensures that the charging infrastructure is economically viable and sustainable in the long term. By involving local communities and businesses in the fundraising process, the initiative fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, making it a truly community-driven endeavour.

Charge My Street also prioritizes user experience and convenience. It provides an intuitive and user-friendly mobile application, Fuuse, that allows EV drivers to check availability, monitor charging progress, and make payments seamlessly. This digital platform ensures a hassle-free charging experience, empowering EV users with real-time information and control over their charging needs.

The implementation of our solution has meant that to date, Charge My Street has contributed to 110,509 tonnes of CO2 saving, spanning 2,426 drivers that use the service.

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