Upgrades to improve the reliability and to expand the number of chargers in the Go Ultra Low Oxford project for residents are now complete– opening up access to car clubs, residents and the public.
The upgrade means that all 12 designated resident bollard chargers installed under Phase one of Go Ultra Low Oxford project are now available for trial members and members of the public to also to use under the Pay As You Go model of Franklin’s LiFe network.
Franklin Energy took over the management of the eight existing on-street chargers on:
- Bedford Street
- Kineton Road
- Lake Street
- Stockmore Street
- Frenchay Road
- Sandfield Road
- Vicarage Close
- Juxon Street
In addition, Franklin has installed a further four Ensto units on build-out islands at Stone Street, Southfield Road, West Street and Wytham Street.
The build-out charging points have been designed, in collaboration with Oxfordshire County, Franklin and their implementation partner Volker Highways, based on the feedback from phase one and will ensure better access to the pavements for residents, as well as protecting the chargers from vehicle strikes.
There are nearly 800 electric vehicles registered within the area as of December 2020, and so these charging points are installed in anticipation of the exponential growth of the EV market.
Go Ultra Low Oxford
It is estimated that around 28% of households in Oxford (over 41,000 people) live in terraced houses. Many of these houses don’t have a driveway or garage so people who live there have to park their car on the street.
Go Ultra Low Oxford aims to promote electric vehicle charging solutions for Oxford residents who are considering buying an electric vehicle but do not have off-street parking.
The project was established as one of the first on-street charging pilots in the world.
The project, which first started in 2017, aims to trial five different charging technologies for 24 residents and car clubs across Oxford, has been described by the University of Oxford as having “global scientific significance”.
The project has been made possible after the City Council secured an £800,000 grant from the Government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council.
Supporting the Zero Emission Zone
Oxford City Council, and Oxfordshire County Council are planning to introduce the Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) Pilot this August.
In addition to the installation of these charging points for residents, the Council is also in the process of installing six new rapid electric vehicle chargers for e-taxis. In order to help encourage EV uptake across the city, some bays at the new charging stations will temporarily be open to members of the public, in addition to private hire and Hackney Carriage e-taxi drivers. This includes one temporary public bay will be provided at Keble Rd, and two at Manzil Way Gardens.
Take part in the project
The next phase of the project will see up to 100 further chargers installed across the city for residents without off-street parking.
Residents who would like their street to be considered for an electric charging point in phase two of the project can express their interest via the demand tracker.
“For Oxford to go zero carbon by 2040, we need to electrify a lot more of our transportation. Upgrading electric vehicle chargers for residents is important to clean our air and protect our planet, and it's great to be extending the upgraded chargers to non-trial participants, too.”
Councillor Tom Hayes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon Oxford
“We are determined to ensure that all EV drivers have access to a charging point close to their home. This is why we are delighted to have partnered with Oxford City Council under the Go Ultra Low project, to install and operate 24 on street charging sockets for the residents of Oxford.”
Rob Byrne, Managing Director of Franklin Energy
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