Tel Aviv Launches Pilot to Charge Electric Vehicles via Streetlight Poles
The Tel Aviv municipality has initiated a pilot program to charge electric vehicles (EVs) using streetlight poles. Recently, two charging stations were installed on dedicated electric poles on a side street near the Azrieli Mall. The pilot includes a single-phase charging station mounted on a regular city streetlight and a three-phase station designed for newer EVs, installed on a fixture resembling a streetlight. Following installation, the stations will undergo safety and functionality tests in accordance with electrical laws and international standards.
Currently, Israel has two types of EV charging stations: private stations on private property and public stations operated by charging providers. Public stations are divided into slower AC chargers that take several hours and faster DC chargers that typically charge vehicles in under an hour. These public stations are usually located in designated areas, requiring drivers to travel specifically to them and leave their vehicles for extended periods.
In contrast, some countries like the UK have explored making public charging more accessible by integrating it into existing infrastructure such as streetlight poles, allowing charging availability on every street. Tel Aviv’s pilot, lasting about six months, is initially limited to the city’s own electric vehicles but aims to assess the suitability of the municipal infrastructure for EV charging, charging speed, impact on the city’s power grid, and user convenience.
Tel Aviv currently has approximately 45,000 streetlight poles, with around 10,000 suitable for EV charging installation. According to the Ministry of Transport, as of this week, there are 27,468 privately owned electric vehicles registered in Tel Aviv, alongside 5,304 leased EVs and 5,957 company-owned EVs. This count excludes plug-in hybrid vehicles that can also be charged electrically. After the pilot concludes and the results are analyzed, the municipality plans to issue a tender to select a charging provider to expand the project if successful.
