Urban life is about to change with Galp's proposal to convert streetlights into charging points for electric cars. This innovative solution is intended to address an increasingly urgent problem: the lack of charging infrastructure in large cities. In places like Lisbon and Porto, where many families do not have their own garages or parking spaces, this initiative is presented as a great opportunity to facilitate the transition to electric mobility.
Connecting your car to a streetlight sounds like an idea straight out of a futuristic movie, but with Galp it's becoming a reality. By taking advantage of the public lighting infrastructure, this project not only reduces installation costs, but also avoids the need for major works on the sidewalks, mitigating the inconvenience for citizens. Galp thus aims to: democratize access to electric charging, making it more accessible and convenient for everyone.
A step forward in Lisbon and Porto
Galp has already begun to implement the first charging points on street lamps in Lisbon and at the former Matosinhos refinery in Porto. The Portuguese energy company is leading the way to extend this technology to more cities, both in Portugal and Spain. According to João Diogo Marques da Silva, EVP Commercial at Galp, "these types of solutions are essential to address charging needs in urban centres, where private infrastructure is not always available.»
In addition to these advances, Galp has taken advantage of its innovation network to promote projects such as “Second Life Batteries”, which is being developed at the Alcalá de Henares service station in Spain. This initiative reuses electric vehicle batteries at the end of their useful life, allowing ultra-fast chargers to be powered with minimal power from the grid. This is a further step towards electric mobility sustainable financing model and efficient.
More than 5.500 charging points and growing
Galp boasts the largest electric charging network in Portugal, with more than 5.500 points throughout the Iberian Peninsula. In October of this year, the company reached a historic milestone: exceeding one million recharges in its facilities in less than ten months, beating the record of the previous year. This achievement reinforces its commitment to the sustainability and innovation in electric mobility.
In addition, the slow charging model through streetlights integrates perfectly with other Galp services, such as ultra-fast chargers at strategic service stations. Thus, drivers They have options tailored to their needs, from faster charging on the road to the ability to charge their vehicles overnight near their homes.
Galp's initiative is not only designed to reduce the costs of implementing new infrastructures, but also to optimize existing resources. By taking advantage of streetlights, unnecessary extensions to the electricity grid are avoided and the visual and physical impact on urban space is reduced. This makes the project beneficial not only for electric car users, but also for the community at large.
Thanks to projects like this, electric mobility is closer to becoming a viable option even for those who do not have access to a private garage. Galp is positioned as a benchmark in the transformation of cities towards a more sustainable future, improving not only technology, but also the daily lives of citizens who opt for a more efficient transport model. cleansed and efficient.