The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has set out his plans for a major expansion of London’s electric vehicle-charging network to ensure the capital continues to be one of the world’s leading zero-emission cities.

London’s plan follows the mayor’s establishment of the world’s first electric vehicle infrastructure taskforce, bringing together representatives from business, energy, infrastructure, government and the London boroughs. The past year has seen more than 140 organisations contribute to the work of the taskforce.

The new plan estimates the number of charge points required in the next five years, based on different scenarios for the growth of electric vehicles and looks at how this can be delivered with less public subsidy and without installing points which are underused or outdated.

The taskforce and other industry partners will support the mayor in driving forward a number of initiatives in the plan including:

• Installing the next generation of ultra-rapid charging points at London petrol stations later this year.
• Delivering five flagship charging hubs, with the ability for multiple cars to quickly be charged in one place. The first of these hubs will be operational in the heart of the Square Mile by the end of the year.
• A new ‘one-stop-shop’ for Londoners to request new charging infrastructure from their local authority in areas of high demand led by London councils, making it easier for drivers to switch to electric vehicles.
• Expanding electric car clubs and bringing more vehicles to market, offering greater choice to Londoners and businesses.
• New online smart tools to ensure London’s energy grid continues to keep pace with demand and to help unlock private sector investment.

Speaking at the launch of the London EV Infrastructure Delivery Plan at the Institution of Engineering and Technology today, mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “We need to reject the fossil fuels of the past and embrace an electric revolution in London’s transport. To truly transform the quality of our air and to tackle the climate crisis London must move away from petrol and diesel cars, with their catastrophic impact on the environment, and towards zero- emission vehicles.

“I want London to lead the world in this ambition, with all new cars and vans on London roads to meeting these standards by 2030, not 2040 as the government is proposing. To make this vision a reality we must make sure all Londoners have access to the essential infrastructure required to run and maintain an electric vehicle. This is a massive operation and can only be achieved if the public and private sector come together to deliver London’s electric future.”

National Infrastructure Commission chair, Sir John Armitt, said: “A zero-emission van and rapid-charging network will be welcomed by London’s drivers and highlights the importance of electric vehicles to improving air quality in our cities and reducing the impact of the growth in urban freight. But more action will needed - such as the ban on new diesel HGV sales by 2040 we recommended in our recent report on freight and reinforcing the electricity network - if we’re to meet the UK’s climate change targets and clean up the air in London and other cities. The government should charge Up Britain by committing to a truly national rapid charging network and give cities new powers over transport so they can follow London’s example.”

The plan outlines how London is on track to deliver the necessary infrastructure for a radical growth in electric vehicles, which estimates show could increase from around 20,000 today to over 330,000 by 2025.

Source: Infrastructure Intelligence