EINDHOVEN – A central charging station as a distribution point for seven and soon fourteen electric cars. The Te Veld neighbourhood in Woensel has the scoop for Eindhoven. The newly constructed parking lot at the Kwartier in the Te Veld neighbourhood has seven lampposts. They also function as a charging station for electric cars. They receive electricity from one central charging station. It is the first location in Eindhoven where this facility has been installed and after Renkum the second in the Netherlands, according to Michel Versteeg of installation company Dutch Charge. The official presentation was yesterday, in the presence of alderman Rik Thijs (energy).
Against ‘clutter’ of the street scene
According to Dutch Charge and the municipality of Eindhoven, there are several advantages to this construction. For example, the associated parking spaces can also be used for cars on fuel, which can increase the support base among residents. In addition, the use of lampposts prevents the ‘clutter’ of the streetscape. Moreover, the construction is cheaper than that of traditional charging stations. Versteeg is also proud of what he calls ‘smart control’. “If the parking lot fills up between five and six in the afternoon and the lights go on in the houses everywhere, the demand for electricity is high. This charging station then supplies at a lower rate, because most cars are not used again until later in the evening or even the next morning.”
Bank card or telephone
The seven charging points are already in operation, but they will be further adjusted in the near future. For example, they will be given an extra connection, so that, just like other charging stations, two cars can be connected at a time. There will also be a card reader, so that users can pay with their bank card or telephone. Thijs is happy with this innovation and announced that research is being done into whether existing lampposts can be converted into charging points. And when streets are redesigned, new street lamps will also have a dual function, says Linda van de Ven, project leader at the municipality of Eindhoven. She mentions the Boschdijk within the Ring as an example. A logical development according to Versteeg. “Because we need to move towards 1.7 million charging points throughout the Netherlands.” Van de Ven says that the residents of the hamlet of Te Veld were not involved in the choice of construction of the charging points. Because the parking spaces are not reserved for electric cars, everyone will probably be happy with it. Thijs knows that other municipalities are looking at suggestions from residents to make charging easier, such as installing cable ducts in the pavement. “We are not going to do that for the time being. We are choosing this solution, also because of the streetscape.” Source: Eindhovens Dagblad
