There are 12,000 electric vehicles in
London, that’s ten times as many as in 2012.[2]
But the growth in the number of
electric vehicles in the capital is
outstripping the number of charge points and this could limit the
number of people owning an electric vehicle, at a time when
it is essential that Londoners move away from internal combustion
engine vehicles.
60 per cent of Londoners do not have their own garage or driveway
and would therefore need to rely on electric on-street
charging.[3]
The London Assembly Environment
Committee publishes its report on electric
vehicles today, which
calls for a pan-London approach to electric charging points,
spearheaded by the Mayor.
The report found:
- Encouraging Londoners without their own driveway or garage to
get an electric vehicle is the biggest
challenge for take-up, as concerns about charging points are
deep-rooted.
- The spread, location and accessibility of electric charging
points is more important than the number of charging points, so a
strategic pan-London approach is needed.
- Car clubs are a golden opportunity to both reduce individual
ownership and get more electric cars on the road, instead of
petrol and diesel combustion engine vehicles.
The report recommends the Mayor should:
- In the short-term for a limited period only, encourage all
London boroughs to make parking for electric vehicles free or
discounted, to drive take-up.[4]
- Use his profile to spread the idea that charging need not be
a barrier to owning an electric vehicle.
- Offer TfL capital funding to install electric charging
points, where private sector investment is
not happening quickly enough.
- Set a target for the percentage of electric cars in London’s
car clubs, to ensure car clubs see members sharing the cleanest
vehicles.
AM, former Chair of
the Environment Committee, said:
“The time is ripe for London to take charge, if we want to
future proof this city for an electric car revolution. The Mayor
has a key role to play in spearheading the shift to
electric vehicles, preferably not individually owned
but shared via car clubs.
“An electric vehicle is a
great option for Londoners in the minority of cases when a
journey can’t be done by public transport, walking or cycling.
These cars are cleaner, quieter and much better for the
environment. What puts people off though, is not knowing whether
they will be able to find a charger.
“We need to get the number and location of charging points
right, as well as raise awareness of charging points in the
capital. This infrastructure is essential if London is to
continue the electric
vehicles revolution.”
Notes for Editors:
- ‘Electric Vehicles’ report is attached.
- Reference: Department for Transport, Vehicle licensing
statistics July to September 2017, table VEH0131
- Lilli Matson, Director of Transport Strategy at TfL, speaking
to Environment Committee 17 January 2018
- The Green Party Group
agrees with a pan-London approach to parking charges for electric
vehicles. However, the Group disagrees with proposals for the
Mayor, Transport for London (TfL) or London boroughs to provide
free or discounted parking spaces for private vehicles, including
electric vehicles, even as a transitional measure. The Green
Party Group believes that this proposal is incompatible with the
Mayor’s plans for traffic reduction in his Transport Strategy and
it is not the role of public bodies to subsidise private car
parking.
