Southwark is first to install City Hall’s new electric vehicle charging points
31 October 2018
Southwark is the first London council to install lamp post powered, electric vehicle (EV) charging points, supported by funding from City Hall’s Go Ultra Low City Scheme, which aims to improve air quality across the capital.
Cllr Richard Livingstone, Cabinet Member for environment, transport management and air quality, joined Richard Stobart, CEO of char.gy, the company managing the charging process, to launch the roll out of the new lamp post chargers, in Herne Hill, on 31 August.
The council is currently installing its first 50 lamp post charging points in two areas: Borough and Bankside and Dulwich. People living here said that they were keen to have on street EV charging near their homes, when the council asked residents about it earlier this year. Further lamp post charging points will be installed following the initial rollout, again responding to resident requests.
Lamp post charging is a great option because it uses existing infrastructure, this means charge points can be quickly installed and simply relocated, if demand shifts. Lamp posts are also an excellent solution because they don’t take up parking spaces or add street furniture to the pavement, which is especially helpful to anyone in a wheelchair, with a buggy or in need of a little extra space.
Southwark’s street lighting team already has the equipment and skills to fit the units, residents have been consulted and work on agreeing a contract with an energy supplier has already been undertaken. This means that the council was able to start fitting the new charging points as soon as they became available.
The council is also the first London council to work with char.gy, who manage the EV charging process through a mobile app. They are also looking to expand their service to incorporate air quality monitoring at charge points, this will add to the council’s network of monitors and help create a full picture of air quality across the borough.
Cllr Richard Livingstone said: “These electric vehicle charge points are being installed in residential streets, outside people’s homes, in response to feedback from our residents.
“We want to help people to make decisions that improve air quality here in Southwark, be that by walking, cycling and taking public transport, or by using clean fuel. These new charge points are making it easier than ever for people who live in Southwark to make the switch to electric vehicles.”
Page last updated: 31 October 2018
