Curbside EV chargers powered by the sun

Electric vehicle charging company Beam Global is introducing a patented streetlight-based system powered by wind and solar energy.

Why it matters: The company says the chargers minimize the need for disruptive construction and electrical work while providing handy access to charging in public places like apartments, shopping centers, airports and stadiums.

Yes, but: Some communities might not favor the way the 40-foot-tall towers alter the landscape.

How it works: The BeamSpot system doesn’t require new or upgraded utility grid circuits, which is often the biggest — and costliest — challenge associated with installing EV charging infrastructure.

• Instead, the BeamSpot poles replace traditional streetlights, using existing foundations and grid connections.
• A 1 kw solar array and 1 kw wind turbine extending above it supplement the existing grid power by generating electricity that is stored in a 15 kwh battery inside the pole.
• The stored energy, coupled with existing grid power, are enough to illuminate the area with a high-lumens, low-energy LED light while also providing “meaningful” EV charging, Beam Global says.

Reality check: Charging speeds are very slow.

• Total charging power is listed at 5.76 kW, which the company says can deliver up to 220 miles of range in a day.
• That trickle speed could make sense for overnight parking at an apartment complex, but wouldn’t add much energy to an EV during an hour-long shopping trip.

What they’re saying: That’s OK, argues Beam Global CEO Desmond Wheatley, who says it’s more than enough to replenish an EV’s daily range of about 30 miles.