Esch-sur-Alzette has become the first city in Luxembourg to experiment with electric vehicle (EV) charging stations built directly into public street lights. Two pilot charging points were unveiled this week on Rue d’Ehlerange, offering a new solution for residents who do not have access to private garages or driveways.
Charging Where You Park
Mayor Christian Weis (CSV) explained that the idea came from a simple observation: many households in Esch, particularly in Rue d’Ehlerange, own electric vehicles but are forced to park on the street. “By integrating charging points into street lamps, we provide these residents with practical access to electromobility,” he said.
Alderman for Urban Mobility, Meris Sehovic (Déi Gréng), emphasized the accessibility of the initiative: “This system opens the door to EV ownership for people who didn’t previously have charging options. It’s cheap, simple to install, and transforms existing infrastructure into something modern and useful.”
How It Works
Each street lamp has three electrical phases. For this project, one phase is dedicated exclusively to slow charging. According to Sehovic, it is a “low-tech, low-cost solution” that could significantly accelerate EV adoption by making charging points widely available in residential areas.
The two charging points, marked in yellow and black, can be activated with any charging card. Pricing remains the same as for other public charging stations, but parking rules have been adapted. Residents of Rue d’Ehlerange can charge without time limits if they display their residential sticker, while non-residents may park and charge for up to two hours with a valid ticket.
What’s Next
The pilot project could soon expand. Both Weis and Sehovic confirmed that the municipality is developing a plan to identify other streets where this system could be replicated. “Two more charging stations could follow in the near future,” said Sehovic.
Esch has long positioned itself as a pioneer in mobility innovation. The city already operates around 130 charging points, with 30 more planned by 2026. With this new street light system, Esch is once again testing creative ways to adapt public infrastructure to the needs of the future.
Read More : Esch-sur-Alzette: Charge your car on... a street light pole - The essentials
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