New shared EV charging clusters that will encourage local businesses to go electric are being deployed in London as part of a government-funded project.

Believ will work with boroughs to identify the most feasible sites to install EV charge points for fleets

Charge point operator Believ has been chosen by London’s Cross River Partnership (CRP) as the sole supplier of the charging facilities to the Defra-funded Smarter Green Logistics (SGL) project.

The charging clusters will help support electrification by local businesses; London delivery drivers are particularly hampered from going electric due to a lack of domestic charging facilities.

Each of the 15 local authority partners of the project will identify which local businesses want to go electric but are unable to do so currently due to the lack of convenient EV charge points for their staff.

Believ will then work with each borough that expresses an interest, identifying the most feasible sites to install EV charge points, fully funding the supply and installation, and providing the ongoing operation and maintenance.

The charging operator will also promote the use of electric car-clubs to encourage vehicle sharing rather than the use of individually owned cars and vans, with the goal of decreasing vehicle ownership overall.

“We’re delighted to be chosen as the sole supplier of EV charging for the Smarter Green Logistics project,” said Mathew Croucher, EV services director at Believ, “and excited to be working with Cross River Partnership to help improve quality of life in London. Encouraging more London businesses to switch to electric fleets or e-car sharing will hasten the transition to a more sustainable and cost-effective form of transport. And that means cleaner air for all.”

The project forms part of CRP’s wider activities to encourage sustainable logistics across London, reducing air pollution.

Susannah Wilks, director at Cross River Partnership, said: “Smarter Greener Logistics will help to make London’s freight deliveries even more sustainable, and make an important contribution to cleaning up London’s air. CRP is thrilled to have received this funding from central government department Defra. We are excited to get to work on new freight initiatives with all of our public, private and community sector partners.”

Each of the 15 local authority partners of the project will identify which local businesses want to go electric but are unable to do so currently due to the lack of convenient EV charge points for their staff. Charge points are not only needed near the business premises, but also near the drivers’ homes and in the surrounding areas, so they can charge their vehicles when out and about or on their drive home.

The project will run until the end of 2024, supported by the £1m Defra grant and additional matched funding provided from each of the boroughs and private sector companies involved.