EV chargers successfully installed during road resurfacing project on historic London estate

The works have provided a 50% cost saving in EV charging for residents, as well as modernising the area. 

Hyde Park Gate consists of two parallel streets opposite Hyde Park, neighbouring the famous Royal Albert Hall and just around the corner from the capital’s museums quarter. 

The area is home to three separately managed blocks of flats, as well as the Australian Embassy and multi-million-pound houses. 

Principle is managing agent for 39 Hyde Park Gate, a seven-storey, red brick mansion block of luxury apartments, and looks after the wider estate across Hyde Park Gate and Reston Place. 

Lisa-Marie Bradnock, associate director at Principle, said: “The road surface was over 20 years old and the resurfacing project had been discussed with previous managing agents for over a decade. 

“We recommended installing EV charging points whilst road works were already planned, maximising efficiency. Initial advice from various consultants saw costs approaching £1 million, which wasn’t feasible, so we engaged our in-house building surveying department. 

“They looked into different approaches and drilled down into residents’ requirements, narrowing the spec and leveraging our contractor network to find the right supplier.” 

Principle engaged charge point operator Cosmic Charging, specialists who include hardware, software, installation, ongoing management, maintenance and finance in their solutions. 

Rob Hughes, director at Cosmic Charging, said: “We’d been speaking with Principle about various opportunities to work across their portfolio, and Hyde Park Gate was our first partnership. 

“Existing power supplies were limited, so we included new technology which works like internet bandwidth. When the building pulls power through lifts and other equipment, we automatically drop charging rates, increasing it when capacity returns, removing the risk of overloading circuits.” 

Once EV chargers were installed, the surrounding road surface was finished in premium red, and the pavements in resin-bound gravel. This involved thoroughly cleaning machinery of black tarmac residue and, in places, laying tarmac by hand and finishing with small steam rollers. 

Mr Hughes highlighted how residents now enjoy significant savings from the new EV chargers, with rates of around 32p per kilowatt hour – compared to 64p at the nearest Shell charging point. 

He added: “The system is completely automated. Residents simply tap key fobs against the charger or scan QR codes to pay by card or phone. Payments are automatically reconciled with Principle, who manage energy bills via service charge accounts.” 

Ms Bradnock of Principle explained how exceptional coordination was required to communicate clearly with multiple stakeholders and manage residents’ expectations. 

This included carefully modifying work schedules around the Australian Ambassador’s state dinner to maintain safe pedestrian access for high-profile guests. 

Ms Bradnock said: “Our on-site team worked closely with residents to minimise disruption. From being entrusted with keys to move vehicles, to moving 50 items of luggage for one royal resident, they went above and beyond.” 

Richard Coles, head of building surveying at Principle, added: “We delivered renewed infrastructure designed to last decades, including sustainable transport solutions and significant resident cost savings, enhancing property values. 

“This demonstrated how major works can embrace environmental responsibilities, while meeting immediate maintenance needs.”