Rapid charge points that power electric vehicles in 30 minutes are to be installed across the Capital over the next three years.
Announced on Wednesday (26 April), TfL says the £18m scheme will encourage drivers to ‘ditch the most polluting vehicles and go electric’ to help clean up London’s ‘filthy’ air.
With new taxis licensed after 1 January 2018 needing to be zero-emission capable, TfL also says the new charging network will play an important role in the ‘greening of London’s iconic black cab fleet’, with many charging points for exclusive use by taxis by the end of next year.
TfL hopes the first of the new charging points will be operational within a matter of months, with 75 to be operational by the end of this year. The network will grow to 150 by the end of 2018 and 300 by 2020.
TfL will work with London’s boroughs to identify potential sites for the charging points, including upgrading the power supply.
Ben Plowden, TfL’s director of surface strategy and planning, said: “An extensive rapid charging network is fundamental in helping drivers make the shift from fossil fuels to electric.
“This is particularly important for the taxi and private hire trades and the fleet and freight sector, which over the next few years will be looking to dramatically increase the number of journeys made with zero-exhaust emissions.”
28 April 2017