Scottish electric vehicle (EV) charging company Trojan Energy has started trials of its technology in London.

The project has been led by energy consultancy Element Energy and will result in EV drivers in Brent and Camden gaining access to 150 new on-street charge points.

Trojan Energy’s charge points sit flat and flush with the pavement so have no permanent raised structure. This technology will provide on-street charging for those without driveways or garages, whilst keeping streets clear of additional clutter.

For the STEP trial, 10 sets of 15 charge points are installed on six streets in Brent and four streets in Camden.

Currently nine streets are live, with the final street in Camden due to be operational later this year.

More than 150 EV drivers have signed-up to use the technology, with the trial scheduled to run for several months.

If the trial is successful and passes council consultation, the system will remain in use for years to come.

Ian Mackenzie, CEO of Trojan Energy, commented: “The whole Trojan Energy team is grateful for the support of the project partners in achieving the next milestone in volume deployment of our systems.

“The learnings from here will underpin our whole market approach as we move from trials to commercial roll out, across the UK and around the world.”

Oliver Robinson, the Project Manager and Senior Consultant at Element Energy, added: “The project has achieved its impressive goal of bringing over 100 well-designed, neat on-street chargers to people across Brent and Camden.

“I am proud of the Consortium and looking forward to seeing the future of commercial rollout for Trojan Energy as they accelerate the transition to net zero for drivers who park on street.”

Trojan Energy designed the unique flat and flush charging system for those without access to off-street parking. Importantly, Disability Rights UK provided design input to improve usability for all drivers and increase safety for all street users.

Full launch of the trial is a key milestone in the three-year Subsurface Technology for Electric Pathways (STEP) project, funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and delivered by Innovate UK, which has seen the charge points developed from concept, through manufacturing and now deployment.

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Element Energy have designed surveys for trial participants alongside academic partners from the Institute of Transport Studies at the University of Leeds to evaluate the success of the project.

Success will not only be defined by feedback from local EV drivers using the technology, but additionally by more than 150 nearby non-trial residents providing their feedback on the new infrastructure in their area.

Councillor Krupa Sheth, cabinet member for Environment at Brent Council, said “I am delighted that six streets in Brent have additional charging points for electric cars.

“This is another huge step forwards in making climate friendly travel even more accessible for residents. This is one of a number of initiatives on our journey to achieve zero carbon emissions in Brent by 2030.”

Neil Madgwick, Head of Service Delivery at UK Power Networks, said “Projects like this are vital to delivering greater accessibility to charging infrastructure that truly works for everyone.

“Whether you’re driving an EV, are yet to make the switch or are a pedestrian using the street, these innovative charge points are keeping the pavement clear for all who are using it, whilst ensuring those who need to charge their car can.”

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