The London borough of Hackney says it will become a national leader in electric vehicle charging under plans to roll out 2,500 fast and slow chargers across its seven square miles.

The council says it wants to support people to switch to EVs or car clubs

A further contract for up to 150 rapid chargers across the borough is also afoot and the plans will take the total number of charging points in Hackney to 3,000 by 2026.

Hackney says the rollout, being carried out with charge point partner Zest, will result in the most concentrated network of EV chargers in any local authority area in the UK.

It’s part of the council’s commitment to decarbonise the transport system in Hackney – a key goal in its Climate Action Plan.

While only a third of households in Hackney own a car, the new charging network is designed to encourage existing drivers, along with businesses and professional drivers, to switch to electric vehicles – or to facilitate the use of new electric vehicle car clubs.

All of the charging points will use 100% renewable energy, with a discounted rate available for Hackney residents through Hackney Light and Power, the council’s energy services arm.

The rollout will be completed at no cost to the council, with Zest set to fund the capital and operational costs of the programme, backed by the government-sponsored Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund.

Mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville said: “Road transport accounts for 24% of UK carbon emissions and is a significant contributor to air pollution, which is why we want to support people to switch to EVs or car clubs – a key part of the ambitions set out in our new Climate Action Plan.

“I hope this ambitious plan for thousands of new charging points shows how local councils can be at the forefront of work to tackle climate change, lead innovation and help to pave the way for wider transport decarbonisation in the UK.”

The plan shows how the local authority is taking a lead on charging infrastructure – and it’s committed to working “with every community in Hackney to shape where these charging points go across our streets and estates”.

Latest research by the BVRLA indicates that 40% of local authorities in the UK are yet to engage with the fleet sector when considering charging needs – and its newly published Fleet Friendly Charging Index also shows that nearly two-thirds (63%) of authorities are yet to publish an EV strategy.

Robin Heap, Zest CEO, said Hackney was delivering a bold decarbonisation strategy that would support EV takeup.

“Providing abundant charging facilities, and supporting car clubs to go electric, will make EV a more natural choice for people across the borough.

“Our role is to work with organisations that want to build bigger and move faster in EV charging, investing in high-quality facilities and providing a convenient long-term service.”

The first of Hackney’s new chargers will be installed in late 2023. The plans include 1,500 slow chargers mounted on existing lampposts, as well as 1,000 fast chargers (on 500 charging units with capacity for two vehicles) and 150 rapid chargers (on 75 charging units with capacity for two vehicles) in existing parking bays. The rollout of the new chargers will be completed by 2026.

As part of the rollout, every housing estate in the borough will be served by at least one charging point, with a target of 300 charging points located on estates.