Wandsworth Council is ramping up its £20 million Climate Change Action Plan with the aim of increasing its network of plug-in vehicle charge points to 700.
Councillor Jonathan Cook, deputy leader at Wandsworth Council and lead on strategic planning and transport, said improving air quality has been a major theme of its Action Plan.
The charge points form part of Wandsworth’s overall £20m budget to tackle climate change, alongside initiatives that support the council environment and sustainability strategy, including increasing its tree planting program, supporting cycling infrastructure and boosting the availability of e-bikes.
The commitment to increase the number of charging points is a “huge step” on the council’s roadmap to becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and zero carbon by 2050.
Cook said: “EV ownership is one of the most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions from traffic and as a bonus, its effect is immediate.
“Already, many of our residents have embraced this new technology.
“Up to December 2019 we received more than 1,000 requests from residents for more EV charging points. This level of requests proves that there is a high demand for EVs.”
According to TFL, EV ownership in London is set to increase seven-fold over the next 10 years and Cook said Wandsworth is keen to get behind this transition.
The council is looking to introduce more EV car clubs to help make driving these vehicles more affordable for residents.
Wandsworth Council has now invested £3 million in car clubs and now has a membership of 30,000 using them in the area.
Car clubs allow owners to hire an EV by the hour, day or week and Cook said this reduces 13 private cars per club.
He said: “The popularity of the car clubs is largely because they help people avoid the heavy costs around car ownership and the prevalent issue of space for parking in London.
“The response from the car clubs has been immensely positive and we’re looking at ways to build on the initiative.”
Comment as guest
Comments
No comments have been made yet.