In Prague, the number of street lamps where electric cars can be charged is increasing. Other cities, such as Brno, are also planning to expand their charging stations, while cities like Ostrava, Plzeň, and Karlovy Vary are still relying on conventional stations. This was reported by ČT24, citing companies involved in building the charging infrastructure.
The Czech Republic is intensifying its efforts to promote electromobility by expanding its charging infrastructure. In this context, a project is being implemented in Prague where street lamps are being transformed into new charging stations for electric cars. Thirteen such “smart lamps” are already in operation in Prague, with around one hundred more expected to be added by the end of the year.
At first glance, these innovative charging stations resemble ordinary street lamps but are equipped with sockets for charging electric vehicles. The municipal company Technologie hlavního města Prahy (THMP) has introduced this technology in Prague. Most of these lamps feature two charging points, allowing up to 25 vehicles to be charged simultaneously. However, drivers can currently only charge their electric cars in select streets within the Vinohrady district.
Charging works similarly to conventional charging stations: vehicle owners park their car, pay, plug it in, and start the charging process. The charging points are reserved exclusively for electric vehicles. According to THMP, interest in this service is growing. In 2023, 4,297 transactions were carried out, supplying a total of 61.5 MWh of electricity.
A similar pilot project is also underway in Brno. The city has already installed a charging station on a public light pole and plans to further expand this infrastructure, particularly in the city center. Jaroslav Kolman, Head of the Electromobility Department at Teplárny Brno, emphasized the project’s importance to ČT24: “We have started with a pilot station and aim to establish more stations of this type in the city.”
This step is part of a broader European trend: in countries such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, charging stations on street lamps are already widespread. Sweden is going a step further with plans for a street where electric cars can be charged while driving. The Czech Republic is following this trend on its path to nationwide electromobility.
