Hounslow Leading the Charge On Electric Vehicles
Borough has second highest number of charging points in London
The borough of Hounslow has the second highest number of charging points for electric vehicles according to newly released figures.
The area already has 244 electric charging points and plans to have another 51 up and running during the summer.
Hounslow was one of the first boroughs to trial electric chargers in lampposts in 2016. According to data released by Zap-Map, Hounslow now has the second highest number of recharging points in the capital after Westminster. Fuelled by significant demand for charge points from residents, the council has acquired funding through grant opportunities from TfL and The Mayor of London, which it has match funded to cover the cost of installation.
Councillor Katherine Dunne, Cabinet Member for Communities and Workforce at Hounslow Council said, “There were residents who either had electric vehicles or wanted them but faced the barrier of having nowhere secure to charge them.
“Although the initial cost of purchasing electric vehicles remains a barrier for many, the cost of running them is low once they manage to buy them. We want to assist anyone who wants to switch to an electric vehicle and having access to a charge point is an essential starting point. Over time, we see electric vehicles as playing an important role in improving air quality, boosting public health and making Hounslow a cleaner and greener borough.”
Ealing will have around 70 by the end of May when new ones are introduced including those on South Parade in Chiswick. The aim is to deliver 300 charging points by the end of 2020. A council spokesman said there are plans to make sure no-one lives further than a 10-minute walk from a charger.
Cllr Julian Bell, Chair of London Councils’ Transport and Environment Committee, said:, “Extensive investment in London’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure is key to making Londoners feel confident about switching to cleaner, greener electric vehicles, which will help to reduce harmful emissions and ultimately improve London’s air quality.
“That is why boroughs have pulled out all the stops to deliver 1,000 residential charging points across the capital for our residents - and we will be installing even more in the coming months.”
Residential charging points are designed to charge electric vehicles at between 3-7 kilowatts per hour, ideal for an overnight charge. The majority of residential charge points use charging points in existing lamp posts. A small number of freestanding units have also been installed.
If you do not have a driveway and would like to request an electric vehicle charging point, contact Hounslow Council who will consider your request.
Written with contributions from Ged Cann – Local Democracy Reporter
May 7, 2019