The Mayor of London has set out plans to develop a network of rapid charging hubs across the city, paving the way for a “electric revolution in the capital’s transport”.

The plan will bring a network of rapid charging hubs across the city

Revealed by Sadiq Khan at an event today (17 June 2019), the London EV Infrastructure Delivery Plan provides a wide-reaching strategy intended to meet Londoners’ charging needs up to 2025 and enabling all new cars and vans to be zero emission by 2030; 10 years ahead of government plans.

The plan – the result of work by more than 140 organisations under the Mayor’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Taskforce – will see five EV charging hubs installed, the first of which will be operational in the Square Mile by the end of 2019.

Meanwhile ultra-rapid charging points will be installed at London petrol stations later this year and Londoners will also be able to request new charging infrastructure from their local authority in areas of high demand led by London Councils through a new ‘one-stop-shop’ service.

Other areas include expansion of electric car clubs and the launch of more zero-emission vehicles while new online smart tools will ensure London’s energy grid continues to keep pace with demand and will also help unlock private sector investment.

Speaking at the launch of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Delivery Plan, 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.”

According to estimates, take-up of electric vehicles in London could expand from around 20,000 today to over 330,000 by 2025. This will be driven by a combination of new low-emission regulations, supportive policy at all levels of government and a decrease in the cost of electric vehicles.

The plan has seen widespread involvement by private and public sector organisations, including TfL. Head of transport strategy & planning Christina Calderato said: “London’s toxic air reduces the length and quality of lives across the city. Improved electric vehicle infrastructure can support more essential trips being made using zero-emission transport, which will help clean up the air.

“The Mayor’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Delivery Plan shows how important it will be for the whole sector to work together to foster the expected uptake of electric vehicles. We have already delivered 183 rapid charging points with 300 on the way by the end of next year. It is fantastic to see collaboration with partners already happening through the taskforce.”

The CBI also welcomed the launch of the plan, which it said was the right thing to do “as we face the global climate crisis”. Eddie Curzon, CBI London director, added: “The collaboration between business, government and the London boroughs also demonstrates the integrated approach needed to deliver charging infrastructure both now and in the future. The commitments supporting the plan, from the public and private sectors, are critical to accelerating the shift across our transport network to EVs and alternatively fuelled vehicles, making the choice to switch easier for businesses and people.

“This is a milestone moment for London and the UK, and shows that business stands ready to play its part to reduce emissions and improve air quality in our cities.”

Meanwhile ChargePoint has announced a series of new rapid charging locations in central London and LEVC’s new electric van was also revealed at the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Delivery Plan event today.