What is a lamp-post charger?
A lamp-post charger is an electric vehicle chargepoint fitted in or on a street-lighting column and using its electricity supply [S1]. It suits longer parking stays rather than a rapid turnaround. Waltham Forest lists typical lamp-column power as 5.5 kW [S2]. Check the actual rating, access and parking rules before directing staff or visitors there. Checked October 2026.
What is a lamp-post charger?
A lamp-post charger is an electric vehicle chargepoint integrated into or attached to a street-lighting column, using the lighting electricity network [S1]. Kerbside charging is the wider category: a charger beside a road need not be connected to a lamp post [S3].
Why it matters for your site: you may encounter these as a council-led alternative for staff or visitors who park on the street. They are not evidence that your own car park has suitable charging capacity.
How much power can a lamp-post charger supply?
Lewisham’s strategy describes this charging category at about 3–7 kilowatts (kW), a measure of power [S1]. That is a category description, not a rating for every installation. Waltham Forest currently lists typical lamp-column charging at 5.5 kW [S2]. Check the individual point’s specification and operating instructions.
For an assumed illustration, a constant 5.5 kW over 4 hours transfers 5.5 × 4 = 22 kilowatt-hours (kWh), the unit of energy. This is before charging losses and assumes no interruption or vehicle limitation. It is not a promise of energy reaching the battery. Use the charging cost tool with the actual price.
Who does this charging arrangement suit?
The low-power arrangement suits longer stays, including overnight parking [S1]. For your business, check whether nearby points fit staff shifts or guest stays. Avoid treating public street spaces as reserved business provision: Waltham Forest expressly applies local parking controls to its lamp-column locations [S2].
Read traffic orders for council EV bays for restrictions, and pedestal versus wall-mounted chargers for your own site layout. Edinburgh also describes satellite bollards drawing from a lighting column where direct mounting is unsuitable [S3].
Next step
Describe your parking and dwell times in the site check, then get matched with an installer that covers your area.
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Common questions
Does every kerbside charger use a street-lighting supply?
No. Council guidance distinguishes lamp-column arrangements from other charging installations. Ask for the supply design rather than inferring it from the roadside position [S3].
What if the lamp column is behind the pavement?
Edinburgh describes a satellite bollard using the column's supply where the column is unsuitable for mounting a chargepoint. Cable routing and pedestrian access still need design assessment [S3].
Does a charging socket create a reserved parking bay?
No. Waltham Forest says its lamp-column points have no dedicated EV-only bays and local parking controls apply. Check the signs and council conditions for the actual location [S2].
Which cable should visitors bring?
Waltham Forest specifies a standard Type 2 cable for its lamp-column points. Check the instructions for your intended location before telling visitors what to bring [S2].
Who should check pavement obstruction risks?
Include the connected cable in the layout review. Edinburgh's guidance addresses footway layout, while Waltham Forest tells users to avoid obstructions and trip hazards [S3], [S2].
Ask about your site
Sources
- Draft low emission vehicle charging strategy - lamp-post charging explanation, London Borough of Lewisham,Last checked 19 October 2026
- Electric vehicle charging points, London Borough of Waltham Forest,Last checked 19 October 2026
- Street design guidance - F8 EV charging points, City of Edinburgh Council,Last checked 19 October 2026