There are 12,000 electric vehicles in London, that’s ten times as many as in 2012.[2]
But the growth in the number of electric vehicles in the capital is outstripping the number of charge points and this could limit the number of people owning an electric vehicles, at a time when it is essential that Londoners move away from internal combustion engine vehicles.
60 per cent of Londoners do not have their own garage or driveway and would therefore need to rely on electric on-street charging.[3]
The London Assembly Environment Committee publishes its report on electric vehicles today, which calls for a pan-London approach to electric charging points, spearheaded by the Mayor.
The report found:
- Encouraging Londoners without their own driveway or garage to get an electric vehicle is the biggest challenge for take-up, as concerns about charging points are deep-rooted.
- The spread, location and accessibility of electric charging points is more important than the number of charging points, so a strategic pan-London approach is needed.
- Car clubs are a golden opportunity to both reduce individual ownership and get more electric cars on the road, instead of petrol and diesel combustion engine vehicles.
The report recommends the Mayor should:
- In the short-term for a limited period only, the Mayor should encourage all London boroughs to make parking for electric vehicles free or discounted, to drive take-up.[4]
- Use his profile to spread the idea that charging need not be a barrier to owning an electric vehicle.
- Offer TfL capital funding to install electric charging points where private sector investment is not happening quickly enough.
- Set a target for the percentage of electric cars in London’s car clubs, to ensure car clubs see members sharing the cleanest vehicles.
Leonie Cooper AM, former Chair of the Environment Committee, said:
“The time is ripe for London to take charge, if we want to future proof this city for an electric car revolution. The Mayor has a key role to play in spearheading the shift to electric vehicles, preferably not individually owned but shared via car clubs.
“An electric vehicle is a great option for Londoners in the minority of cases when a journey can’t be done by public transport, walking or cycling. These cars are cleaner, quieter and much better for the environment. What puts people off though, is not knowing whether they will be able to find a charger.
“We need to get the number and location of charging points right, as well as raise awareness of charging points in the capital. This infrastructure is essential if London is to continue the electric vehicles revolution.”
Related documents
Electric Vehicles report
Notes to editors
- ‘Electric Vehicles’ report is attached.
- Reference: Department for Transport, Vehicle licensing statistics July to September 2017, table VEH0131
- Lilli Matson, Director of Transport Strategy at TfL, speaking to Environment Committee 17 January 2018
- The Green Party Group agrees with a pan-London approach to parking charges for electric vehicles. However, the Group disagrees with proposals for the Mayor, Transport for London (TfL) or London boroughs to provide free or discounted parking spaces for private vehicles, including electric vehicles, even as a transitional measure. The Green Party Group believes that this proposal is incompatible with the Mayor’s plans for traffic reduction in his Transport Strategy and it is not the role of public bodies to subsidise private car parking.
- Leonie Cooper AM, former Chair of the Environment Committee, is available for interview – see contact details below.
- London Assembly Environment Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam on 020 7983 4067. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.