A special team has been picked to help create new electric vehicle charging points with ‘iconic British’ design.
The Royal College of Art (RCA) and PA Consulting have been selected for the task by the Department for Transport (DfT).
The aim is to see electric vehicle charging points become new ‘renowned emblems’. It is hoped they will become as identifiable as the red postbox or black cab.
A modern British emblem
The RCA and PA Consulting will only have a small window to create their new emblematic electric vehicle charger.
The aim is that a uniform design will make it easier for drivers to recognise charging points. Ensuring they are accessible for all is also a key part of the design brief.
A strict deadline has been set, with the finished article to be unveiled at the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference. Better known as ‘COP26’, the major event takes place in Glasgow this November.
The DfT states that the new chargepoint design could be on UK streets by 2022. However, with many EV charging points operated by private companies, there is no detail on how this might be implemented.
‘Usable, beautiful and inclusive design‘
Creating a new EV chargepoint design is part of the government’s decarbonisation plan for UK transport. It follows funding announcements for zero-emissions road freight, as part of a pathway to see the UK achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps commented: “Excellent design plays a key role in supporting our transition to zero emission vehicles, which is why I want to see EV charge points that are as iconic and recognisable as the British phone box, London bus or black cab.”
Clive Grinyer, Head of Service Design at the RCA, added: “This is an opportunity to support the design of a future icon that will be part of our national culture as we move towards a sustainable future.
“The RCA has been at the forefront of shaping our products, mobility and services for the last 180 years. We are delighted to be playing a role in the design of the total service experience to ensure a usable, beautiful and inclusive design that is an excellent experience for all.”
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