- Urban Fox launched Europe’s first retractable EV chargers, UEone, in Dundee after seven years of development.
- Eighteen Mk5 UEone chargers, installed across nine locations, retract underground when not in use for accessibility.
- The Urban Fox App lets users summon and monitor chargers, with Smart UK supporting the accessible EV infrastructure.
Urban Fox unveils its accessibility-focussed on-street EV charger, the UEone
Urban Fox has unveiled UEone, Europe’s first fully retractable electric vehicle (EV) chargers. The company, a collaboration between Balfour Beatty Investments and Urban Electric Networks, showcased its creation at V&A Dundee in Scotland.
This launch marks a significant milestone after seven years of development and a successful two-and-a-half-year trial. Dundee City Council has already funded the installation of 18 new Mk5 UEone chargers.
The UEone chargers are designed with accessibility in mind.
These 7kW on-street charge points rise from the ground to a usable height when activated and retract flat underground when not in use. This unique design keeps pavements clear and pedestrian-friendly, setting them apart from other EV chargers on the market.
Oli Freeling-Wilkinson, CEO of Urban Fox, explained:
“After more than seven years of intensive development and testing, we are immensely proud to unveil Europe’s only flat and flush charging solution that complies with the highest accessibility standards. At Urban Fox we are passionate about addressing the pressing need for near-home EV charging infrastructure across the UK, to ensure that no one is left behind on the road to net zero.”
The public can use the Urban Fox App to summon a UEone charger, power their EV, and monitor their usage. This user-friendly technology aims to make EV charging more convenient and widely accessible.
Gavin Russell, CEO of Balfour Beatty Investments, commented:
“Today’s launch marks a significant milestone in the UK’s journey to achieving net zero. The launch at the renowned V&A museum in Dundee highlights how innovative technology can significantly enhance, not detract from urban spaces and living.”
Urban Fox, named a Top 6 European Cleantech Start-up by Climate-KIC, merges Urban Electric Networks’ innovative drive with Balfour Beatty’s infrastructure expertise. This partnership aims to improve urban living through advanced EV charging solutions.
A 7kW charger is comparatively low-powered compared to the 150kW we’re getting used to seeing. However, these are designed as destination chargers, to be left for several hours of dwell time. What’s more, these lower-powered chargers are both cheaper and easier to install than their high-powered variants.
