New electric vehicle charging hub opens in south London

TfL has opened its second rapid charging hub for electric vehicles at Glass Yard in Woolwich.

The ‘petrol station’ for electric vehicles allows drivers to charge up in 20-30 minutes and with eight charging points, TfL says it means a space is ‘more likely to be available’.

The facility in south London is part of TfL’s strategy to have a rapid charging hub in each of the Capital’s five sub-regions.

The first was installed in east London at Stratford International and a site at Baynard House in the City of London, the central location, is currently being constructed. More will follow in the north and west.

London leads the way in the UK with around a third of the country’s charging points.

Statistics show there are now more than 7,000 charging points within the M25, an increase of more than 2,000 over the last year.

TfL says this gives drivers ‘certainty that they will have a place to plug in’, which is key to helping people switch to electric vehicles.

Sadiq Khan, mayor of London, said: “I’m delighted that TfL has opened a new rapid charging hub in south London, the second of five rapid charging hubs Londoners will soon be able to make use of around the capital.

“There are now over 7,000 charge points available to support electric vehicle use in the city and it’s great to see London leading the way in the green vehicle revolution.

“Petrol and diesel vehicles are major contributors to air pollution in London so it is essential that we make it as easy as possible for people to swap their cars, vans and motorcycles to greener, electric versions.

“In October, I am expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone up to the North and South Circular roads, which will bring huge benefits to many more Londoners by helping to improve our filthy air.

“We are facing a climate emergency and, as the UK prepares to host the COP 26 climate conference later this year, it has never been more important to encourage people, organisations and businesses to make the change to zero emission vehicles to support my aim for London to become net zero carbon by 2030.”