O2 Launch Energy Efficient Mobile Phone Universal Charger

O2 have just released a new energy efficient mobile phone charger onto the UK Market.

The not very originally named-O2 Universal Charger is the first of its kind to be launched by a UK network and is among the most Energy efficient chargers in the UK, cutting energy consumption by as much as 70% compared to standard mobile phone chargers currently on sale.

The O2 Universal Charger, which meets the strict energy efficient guidelines of the US Energy Star rating, contains a power control system which reduces charge to the mobile phone by a considerable amount once the battery is fully charged. Even if the charger is left switched on and plugged into a socket the charge will be reduced. Heat loss from the charger has also been eliminated, which is another source of significant energy loss from standard mobile chargers.

It’s estimated that phones left on charge could be costing users in the UK as much as £30m in wasted energy every year. A recent survey revealed that a normal mobile phone charger will waste over 2.8KWh of energy every year. With an estimated 73Million mobile phones in Britain the savings in energy made by everyone using the Universal Charger would make over 7bullion cups of tea.

As well as being energy efficient the charger’s base unit will be accompanied by inter- changeable leads that will make the charger compatible with most of the leading makes of mobile phone on the UK market. The inclusion of inter-changeable leads means that the need to use a different charger for each phone is eliminated.

Ronan Dunne, CEO, Telefónica O2 UK, comments: “People are becoming increasingly concerned about the impact products are having on the environment and with mobile the single biggest impact is the energy used in charging. The O2 Universal Charger offers customers a simple yet effective way of reducing the environmental impact of their phones and reduces the waste associated with charger disposal.”

O2’s Universal Charger is now available from all UK O2 stores priced £14.99. It will be available at an introductory discounted price of £7.49 when purchased with an O2 handset saving until 31st December 2008. Additional connection cables are available for £4.99.

If the figures are correct and there is a staggering 70% reduction in energy consumption then buying one of these Universal Chargers would be a good way to do your little bit to help the environment.