Covid-19
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Should I transition to an Electric Vehicle?
Electric Vehicle (EV) ownership in Waltham Forest is growing quickly and your council is working to ensure that it is as convenient as possible to transition to an EV. Driving an EV over a petrol or diesel vehicle is a good way to reduce your carbon footprint.
As we transition to a low carbon society, EVs are becoming a key transport mode alongside cycling, walking and public transport modes.
On Street EV charging in Waltham Forest
By working in partnership with a range of private charge point operators including BP Pulse, Ubitricity, and Liberty Charge network, we are delivering an ever-expanding network of public EV charging points.
There are 3 categories of on street charging points currently in operation in the borough:
Residential Lamp Column
Typical kW: 5.5kw
Charge time: 7 to 8 hours (typically used overnight)
Number in Waltham Forest: 149*
Fast Free Standing
Typical kW: 7 22kW
Charge time: 3 to 4 hours
Number in Waltham Forest: 62 (154 sockets available)*
Rapid
Typical kW: 50kW
Charge time: 80% in 30 mins
Number in Waltham Forest: 4*
*Correct as of April 2022
Charge point operators in Waltham Forest
Find out the different charge point operators.
BP Pulse Network (Fast Free Standing)
BP Pulse Network (Fast Free Standing)
Charge your vehicle by using a simple RFID card with a monthly payment, or on a pay as you go basis via the bp pulse app.
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Liberty Charge network
Liberty Charge Network (Fast Free Standing)
Information on how to use the Liberty Charge network is available via the Liberty Charge website.
Customers have the option to become a Liberty Charge member or to ‘pay as you go’.
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Ubitricity Network (Residential Lamp Column)
Lamp column charging points do not have dedicated EV only parking bays so users need to comply with local parking controls, including controlled parking zones. There are multiple charging points installed at each location to ensure a point is available.
Ubitricity charging points can be used with an Ubitricity Smart Cable or other metered charging cables. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that their cable is used safely at all times and does not cause any obstructions or trip hazards on the footway.
For more information on the charging points and which cables are compliant please visit the ubitricity website.
Charge Point Operator Emergency Contact Details
BP Pulse: 0330 016 5126
Ubitricity: +44 800 024 6279
Liberty Charge: 03301115335
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Electric Vehicle Myth Busting
Myth: EVs cost more than a petrol/diesel vehicle.
Fact: The purchase price of a brand new EV is fast becoming comparable with the cost of the petrol/diesel equivalent. In addition, running costs for an EV are significantly more affordable. Volkswagen estimate that the electricity to power their E Golf will cost 4p per mile on average compared to 14p per mile to fuel the traditional petrol golf.
Myth: EVs are limited by their range.
Fact: Many EVs can now travel up to 250 miles on a single charge. More than enough range for most journeys. For longer distance journeys, rapid chargers are now available at many motorway service stations. These enable the user to ‘top up’ their vehicle in 20 to 30 minutes.
Myth: There aren’t enough EV charging points in my local area.
Fact: There are currently 206 on street charging sockets installed in Waltham Forest and this figure is growing at pace year on year. Waltham Forest aims for the majority of homes in the borough to be within a 250m distance from a fast free bystanding or rapid EV charging point by 2025.
How are locations for public EV charging points selected?
As we expand the EV charging point network in Waltham Forest, we are on the look out for potential new sites. We take into account existing resident demand as a key factor during the site identification process. You can indicate that you would like an EV charging point on your street via this survey. Completing this survey helps us build a picture of existing demand, so that we can identify sites in the best locations for everyone.
There are several other factors which determine site feasibility for an on street EV charging point. These include the number of parking bays available, existing highway design and proximity to an electrical connection.