Europe’s first fully retractable EV chargers go live in Dundee

The first completely retractable public EV chargers in Europe have been put into operation in Dundee.

The UEone device from Urban Fox was unveiled at a launch event at the city’s V&A museum, with 18 of the devices going live across the city.

Designed to offer accessible kerbside charging without the usual associated clutter, the 7kW on-street charge points are the first of their kind to be rolled out for public use. When activated, the UEone rises from the ground to an accessible height, and when not in use, auto-retracts flat and flush underground, leaving more pavement space for pedestrians.

The devices can be ‘summoned’ via a mobile app, which also allows users to track their charging session and usage. .

Oli Freeling-Wilkinson, CEO of Urban Fox – a joint venture between Balfour Beatty Investments and Urban Electric Networks – said: “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 chargers have been installed at nine locations around the city on behalf of Dundee City Council. The local authority’s convener for economic growth and infrastructure, Councillor Steven Rome, commented: ”I am pleased to see Dundee City Council invest in low-emission transport, further proving that we are continuously making progress towards achieving our net-zero targets.

“Dundee City Council believes that it is important to deploy charge points that are as accessible as possible to deliver equitable access to EV charging solutions, and this innovation helps cater to the needs of our communities.’’

The launch event featured the Smart #1 compact SUV and Jason Allbutt, CEO of Smart UK, added: “As manufacturers like Smart continue the drive to make the UK’s transition to electric mobility a success, it is vital that our products are supported by a robust and reliable charging network. The development of innovative yet practical near-home charging solutions is therefore vital to ensuring that as many people as possible can benefit from the cheap, clean and convenient transport provided by electric vehicles.”