The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Taskforce, created by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, brings together 16 organisations in a bid to increase the take-up of electric vehicles by redoubling efforts to install vital rapid charging points.
So far, 104 rapid charging points have been installed as part of the Mayor's plans for London to become a zero-emission city. However, the network has mostly been delivered on land or roads managed by Transport for London.
With London requiring a major expansion in charging infrastructure to help businesses, taxi drivers and Londoners switch to electric, Mayor Khan believes this must be delivered in partnership with the private sector.
Representatives from business, energy, infrastructure, government and London boroughs are attending a special event today, 31 May, to mark the launch of the taskforce alongside its organisations, which includes UK Power Networks, the British Retail Consortium and the RAC Foundation. The work of the taskforce will also be outlined, including technical workshops run by Transport for London over the summer and a shared Delivery Plan to be published next year.
In addition, whilst boroughs have successfully installed thousands of residential charging points, more rapid charging points are urgently needed. Mayor Khan will today highlight the importance of them working with TfL, the Mayor's Office and taskforce partners to help deliver vital electric vehicle infrastructure and install rapid charging points in urban areas.
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With nearly 144,000 electric vehicles currently on UK roads alongside around 2,000 standard charge points already installed across London, at least 150 TfL-funded rapid charge points are set to be in place by the end of 2018, in addition to new infrastructure in residential neighbourhoods. The Mayor has also revealed plans to establish rapid charging 'hubs' – a group of charging points, similar to petrol stations – set up across the city.
Mayor Khan said: "I'm delighted to launch a new Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Taskforce today, bringing together industry, businesses and the public sector to work together to deliver electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the capital. London's filthy air is a public health crisis, and encouraging more Londoners to switch from diesel to electric vehicles is critical in tackling it.
"We've already made some great progress with the rollout of electric buses, electric taxis and rapid charging points, alongside launching the Toxicity Charge (T-Charge) for the oldest polluting vehicles in central London and bringing forward the introduction of the world's first Ultra-Low Emission Zone. But we cannot do this alone.
"We've received huge support for this new taskforce, showing it is not just an environment or transport issue but one that is vital to the future of our city, and organisations across all sectors are stepping up and accepting they have a part to play. This initiative will support London boroughs and ensure electric vehicle infrastructure is installed in the right places, and help make our city an even better place to live."
Basil Scarsella, Chief Executive of UK Power Networks, said: "We welcome the launch of the Mayor's new EV taskforce. Electric vehicles are a key part of the energy transformation that is underway, as we transition to a low carbon economy. New technologies, like vehicle batteries, will give consumers greater flexibility and choice about how they manage and use their electricity.
"Listening, collaborating, and sharing ideas with taskforce members and other stakeholders, at this pivotal time, will help inform the creation of a world-class smart grid for London that enables and supports the uptake of electric vehicles."
(LM)
