Tokyo's utility poles to serve as EV chargers

Tepco plans to roll out 100 initial units at half the cost

Tepco will roll out a new style of charging station for electric vehicles that employs Tokyo's ubiquitous utility poles. (Nikkei collage)

SUGURU KURIMOTO, Nikkei staff writer

June 11, 2019 18:50 JST

Updated on June 12, 2019 01:31 JST

TOKYO -- Tokyo Electric Power Co. Holdings will utilize its utility poles to install electric vehicle charging stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area, an innovation that promises to cut the costs and space needed for the next-generation infrastructure.

Japan's biggest power supplier, commonly known as Tepco, aims initially to build 100 units. Installing a conventional charging station costs around 3 million yen ($27,600), but Tepco's utility pole chargers will require spending only half that amount.