A major new project to develop and trial shared electric vehicle charging models for high-mileage fleets in London is now underway.

The project is being run by Cenex as part of a global effort by C40 and Uber to increase charging access for over 55,000 drivers in London, Boston and Phoenix.

Cenex is supporting the development of three real-world charging pilots in London that will investigate how electric vehicle infrastructure (EVI) can be shared among various operators, including taxi drivers, delivery fleets and essential service providers. This approach aims to address a major barrier to EV adoption: access to convenient and affordable charging.

Addressing high-mileage vehicle-specific problems is key to this project. In high-density urban areas, cost and accessibility complicate reliance on the public charging network, as many drivers do not have access to home charging. Different sectors have varied priorities which must be met, for example, rapid ‘top-up’ and near-home charging for Ubers or immediate access for emergency vehicles.

Cenex will identify and engage stakeholders from both the public and private sectors to participate in the shared charging pilots, which initially run a 24-month basis until the end of February 2027 and also include a 12-month period for ongoing pilot support and data analysis.

The low-emission research and consultancy firm will also develop guidance and best practice models to inform the long-term strategies of the Greater London Authority (GLA), Uber and C40 Cities. Insights will be shared with other cities facing similar EV infrastructure challenges to help them accelerate their transition to zero-emission transport through scalable shared charging models.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London and co-chair of C40 Cities, said: “In London, we want to bring everyone along on the journey to clean our air and encourage sustainable travel. Whether it’s our emergency services, taxis, private hire, delivery vans, or any of the other essential transport moving through the city daily, we know that increasing the number of zero-emission vehicles will result in cleaner air and fewer emissions. Projects such as this, which offers quicker and easier charging, will help more drivers make the switch to electric vehicles, as we build a fairer, greener London for everyone.”

This project builds on previous work by Cenex on shared charging models as part of Innovate UK’s Paua PINS project, as well as its experience in supporting London boroughs, emergency fleets and infrastructure providers in advancing zero-emission mobility.

Mark Watts, executive director at C40, said: “Ensuring that charging infrastructure is accessible means people living in cities can reap the benefits in terms of cleaner air and quieter streets, while making it easier for the highest-mileage drivers to switch to electric which will make a significant contribution to cutting carbon emissions in our cities.”