The Mayor of London has ambitions for the capital to be a zero-carbon city by 2030. In order to achieve this, there is an increasing focus on zero-emission technologies such as electric cars. Transport for London has laid out future plans for electric vehicle (EV) use in its Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy.
What are the benefits to owning an EV in London?
If you need a car in London, and EV is probably your best bet. Electric car owners in the capital enjoy plenty of benefits, including:
- Saving money on fuel
- Reducing vehicle emissions
- Helping clean up London’s air
- Being eligible for a 100% discount on the congestion charge
- Obtaining grants for new plug-in vehicles: currently up to £2,500 for cars, £1,500 for motorcycles, £6,000 for vans, £7,500 for taxis and £16,000 for trucks
- Paying no vehicle tax or getting a reduced rate depending on your vehicle
- Getting tax incentives if you’re a business user
- Enjoying free or reduced-charge parking in some London boroughs
If you’re an EV driver you depend on electric vehicle charging points (EVCPs). Fortunately for Londoners, the city’s EV charging infrastructure has expanded much faster than any other area in the UK. There are now approximately 102 devices per 100,000 of its population.
Most people charge their electric cars at home overnight or at their workplace. Public charge points can be found on the street and in specific destinations such as shopping areas or service stations. Rapid charge points are essential. They allow high mileage users, like taxi drivers or truck drivers, to quickly charge their EVs. Unlike standard charge points that can take 7 or 8 hours for a full charge, rapid charge points can charge your EV in 20 to 30 minutes.
Where to charge your car in London?
To find out where to charge your car in London, EV Charge Points Map shows points across Greater London and up to the M25. The map shows the nearest public and taxi-only points, the type of charging, the operator and operating hours. For a more detailed map of EV charge points across London and the rest of the UK, go to Zap-Map.
With the number of EV owners increasing every year and the rollout of Transport for London’s strategy, charging your car will soon be as easy as finding a plug socket for your phone.