Khan sets up EV taskforce

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

London mayor Sadiq Khan has launched a taskforce  to increase the supply of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the capital. It comes as the London Assembly’s environment committee warns that a lack of charging points could stifle the growth of electric vehicles. 

The Greater London Authority says there are currently about 2,000 “standard” charge points across London. Many more are being implemented by boroughs. 

At least 150 rapid (50kwh+) charge points will be installed by Transport for London by the end of 2018. The mayor wants to see rapid charging ‘hubs’ – a group of charging points, similar to petrol stations – established and wants more rapid charge points installed on borough roads. Much of the rapid charging network will be reserved for black cabs.

The London Assembly’s environment committee says there are now more than 12,000 electric vehicles registered in the capital.

It says car clubs should be leading the way on electric vehicles but notes that there are state aid barriers to them doing so.

“Retrofitting car club bays with charging points is proving difficult,” says the committee. “Normally TfL and local boroughs pay for the installation of charging points but, because car club bays are only offered to members of that particular car club, such investment is classified as state aid and only €200,000 can be paid to each car club over a three-year period. This leaves the installation cost to the car clubs, and so investment is stifled. TfL is currently lobbying the Office for Low Emission Vehicles for a state aid exemption.” 

The mayor’s taskforce will include representatives of the  GLA; TfL; the British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers Association; British Retail Consortium; Cross River Partnership; Energy UK; Federation of Small Businesses; Freight Transport Association; London Councils; London First; Office for Low Emission Vehicles; Ofgem; RAC Foundation; Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors; Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders; Shell UK; SSE Enterprise; and UK Power Networks.