EXPANDING LONDON’S CHARGING NETWORK
Zest has been awarded a tender to provide and manage 39 rapid or ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging bays on public land situated on strategic roads. The aim is to offer drivers a wider range of recharging options. The chosen locations are strategic to allow high mileage and essential road users, including commercial vehicles, to make the transition to zero-emission. These bays will be introduced across the southern region of the capital by autumn 2024. A new contract is set to be awarded this autumn to roll out more than 60 charging points in other areas of London. These public charging bays are the most recent addition to London’s electric vehicle charging network, which now features nearly 13,000 charging points.
TfL CONTRACT
Zest has secured a contract from Transport for London (TfL) to introduce 39 electric vehicle (EV) charging bays in 24 locations throughout south and southwest London, including suburban boroughs like Sutton and Bromley. These charging stations will be situated in parking bays adjacent to crucial routes frequently used for necessary road travel, often by high mileage and commercial users, such as freight and taxis. The target is to have this charging infrastructure in place by the conclusion of 2024.
LEADING THE EV REVOLUTION
These additional Zest EV charging bays, developed as part of TfL’s EV Infrastructure Delivery Programme, extend London’s already extensive charging network. The Mayor is making good on his promise to free up land under the ownership of TfL and other organizations within the Greater London Authority, like the London Fire Brigade, the London Ambulance Service, and the Metropolitan Police, as well as partners in the NHS, to intensify the concentration of rapid charging stations throughout the metropolis. This strategy entails TfL making public land available to the private market, enabling the necessary infrastructure to maintain London’s leading position in the electric vehicle revolution.
WORDS FROM TfL AND ZEST
“These 39 bays are the start of our new programme to boost the number of rapid charging points in the capital by making public land available to private sector providers to support those making the switch to zero-emission vehicles. More rapid charging points are key to encouraging people and businesses to make the transition to electric vehicles, giving drivers confidence that they have a place to power up in a short period of time. We’re glad to be working with Zest to expand the number of EV charging points across the capital, adding to the city’s extensive network. As we work towards the Mayor’s commitment to achieving Net Zero carbon by 2030, we hope the easier access to rapid and ultra-rapid charging points will encourage those who need to drive in the capital to consider the greenest vehicles for their next car or van which will have the most significant impact in cleaning up London’s toxic air and tackle climate change.”
Robin Heap, Zest CEO, said:
“The UK needs an injection of serious infrastructure to meet its net zero goals, and it is farsighted public sector organisations who are taking the lead. Placing rapid and ultra-rapid charging points directly onto London’s high-volume arterial roads will make it easier for drivers to choose electric and improve the air quality for local communities. We’re looking forward to providing and operating these charge points in partnership with Transport for London.”
LONDON LEADS THE WAY
London has taken the lead in the UK in terms of electric vehicle adoption, with over 103,000 plug-in electric vans and cars already registered in the capital. With almost 13,000 charging points, London boasts 31% of the country’s total EV charging infrastructure, which is more than any other UK region. This achievement is, in part, due to the steadfast commitment of TfL and the Mayor to maintain London’s position as the UK’s leader in this sector. Since 2019, the Mayor’s office has been instrumental in growing London’s charging network by an impressive 180%. While London is well on its way to achieving its target of 40,000-60,000 charging points by 2030, the Mayor is pushing for even more progress and intends to create space for an additional 100 new rapid charging points.
THE MOST CHARGING POINTS IN EUROPE
As of February 2023, London now has the highest number of public rapid charging points of any European city. Among the thousands of EV charging points available throughout the city, approximately 880 are rapid or ultra-rapid charging stations that can provide a full charge in under 30 minutes. TfL has installed 300 of these rapid charging points. London’s rapid charging infrastructure includes 26 hubs that operate similarly to petrol stations, making it easier for EV drivers to top up their vehicles on the go.
MORE CHARGING POINTS NEEDED
In line with its Electric Vehicle Infrastructure strategy, TfL’s projections indicate that if the current trend continues, the city will require at least 1,600 rapid charging points by 2025 and up to 3,900 by 2030. To help reach these targets, TfL is exploring ways to leverage more of its own land for EV charging bays. It is also collaborating with other GLA members and borough councils to identify additional sites across London. TfL is working diligently to bring as many EV charging bays as possible to London’s streets in a timely manner to meet the growing demand. In late March, the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles revealed that London had been granted £35.7 million in funding for Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Capital funding. This funding is in addition to the £9.7 million awarded to the LEVI pilot initiative in the previous fiscal year, which will result in the installation of 400 fast charge points in boroughs throughout north and west London, in addition to the further government funding granted to boroughs through the On-street Residential Charge Point Scheme.
MORE OPTIONS FOR EV DRIVERS
TfL has been expanding its network of rapid charging hubs in London with the aim of having at least one hub in each of the capital’s five sub-regions: north, south, east, west, and central. In 2021, TfL opened the Glass Yard charging hub in Woolwich, which can charge up to eight vehicles simultaneously, providing a full battery charge in approximately half an hour. The first EV hub was built in east London at Stratford International, followed by a hub at Baynard House in central London with six rapid charging points. In addition, two new hubs have recently been added to London’s charging network, including MFG Collier Row and Euro Garages’ hub at Heathrow North, which together house 14 rapid charging points, providing more charging options for EV drivers in those areas.
