Helping Londoners plug into electric vehicles

Putting down the infrastructure for the use of electric cars is good and necessary; however it can only be part of the solution. Strong encouragement is needed for people to change to electric cars. Some of these encouragements could be monetary, given that many electric cars are still quite expensive. Yet another tool that should be taken seriously is regulation. According to some statistics over %40 of UK families have two cars. Smaller percentages have more than two cars. It would be fair to require that those who want to acquire above two cars to only be able to buy electric cars. Regulations could be introduced gradually requiring families who want to purchase a second car to choose from a range of less polluting cars such as hybrid electric vehicles, electric cars etc. with various monetary incentives such as those related to congestion charge or even subsidies. UK industry should be encouraged to get involved in such projects; the industry could then become a secondary driving force to such encouragements.

Hi Steve,

I've been reading about the Segway PT (Personal Transport) which is an electric vehicle that you stand on. Perhaps its best described as an electric scooter although it doesn't look like one.

Will The Mayor of London endorse these devices? If you do it will help you get to 100,000 vehicles.

I'm told that it is illegal to use on roads or pavements and cycle ways under Highways Act 1835. Recently a man was fined £75 for using one on a public footpath.

Not all electric vehicles have to look like cars you know. In any case Motability scooters can be used and don't contravene Highways Act so why are the non-disabled being discriminated against.

I look forward to your response.

Cheers Tom

Hi Steve, I and my associates are in the process of setting up a company to procure, install andprovide service & maintenance for EV Charging points. We are currently researching suppliers and arranging financing and are excited by the Mayor's initiative. We would like ot be part of this partnership and seek an exploratory meeting, or an initial telephone chat. Is this possible ? My e-mail is : tsobora@yahoo.co.uk, and cell number is 07838 119039. Best wishes, Milan Joshi

i would like a charging point installed off my own supply in my street in camden so that i can have an electric car

We’ve been asked to look at Transport, Distribution and Logistics, with the focus on personal travel options into and around larger conurbations for commuters, visitors and shoppers..

Specifically, we were asked to find ways of helping companies to address:

- Carbon emissions - Poor air quality,
- Congestion - Longer journey times
- Overcrowding - Rising fares

Companies also made it clear that where possible, preference would be given to UK or Western European manufactured vehicles.

Electric or electric/hybrid cars may help reduce emissions, but do nothing in terms of reducing congestion, over-crowding or journey times.

We switched focus to two and three-wheeled powered and power-assisted vehicles, finding that they met all the main criteria. Most can be recharged adequately in a couple of hours and unlike electric or hybrid cars, are very competitively priced and are available - now.

We are surprised that electric bikes, scooters and motorbikes are never mentioned when talking about the EV sector. Another way of easing the rush hour crush would be for people to use these realistic, viable alternatives to get to work – particularly if they are travelling from somewhere within the M25.

So why isn’t the Department of Transport or Transport for London promoting and supporting powered and power-assisted two-wheelers that could cut average commuting times by 30% - 40% and relieve pressure on our over-crowded, creaking public transport system and in the process, make life a little easier and more pleasant for all of us?

How about providing the means to recharge electric two-wheelers at public, secure recharge stations around London. After all, you could easily charge 6 – 8 bikes for every one electric/hybrid car.

We have tried to talk to the various official bodies overseeing London becoming 'EV friendly' but it seems that two-wheels don't count - Yet, The Mayor's office shows a huge increase in bike use. Is the problem that we are not promoting the very much more expensive and as yet extremely limited option of electric cars?

EV Consultancy Team at eco-Xchange