EV does it
A place where 95 per cent of local households are never more than 200 metres from somewhere to charge their electric vehicle.
That’s the vision Waltham Forest Council has for the borough following the announcement of the next stage of its ambitious strategy for electric vehicle charging provision.
There are now 1,700 electric vehicle charging sockets (EVCPs) operating in the borough, an increase of more than 600 in a period of less than a year. This puts Waltham Forest council fifth in London and sixth in the entire country for EVCP provision. It means that provision has already been boosted by an astonishing 1,697 per cent so far.
The strategy, announced this week (Tuesday 24 March) follows a surge in demand by residents will see the installation of a further 1,000 charging sockets ranging from standard to rapid charge points further boosting EVCP capacity on local streets and neighbourhoods.
This will take the number of sockets available to residents across the borough to more than 2,700 by the end of spring 2030.
There will be also continued focus on delivering EVCPs installed on the carriageway rather than the footway, ensuring that people walking and wheeling are not obstructed by the equipment – an approach pioneered by the council, which was since been adopted widely by other local authorities.
Read the full Electric Vehicle Charging Point Strategy.
“This is another a major milestone to support sustainable travel for local people” says Cllr Clyde Loakes MBE, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate and Air Quality.
Cllr Loakes continues: “Our aims are that by 2030, 80 per cent of journeys that start or end in the borough our made by walking, cycling, public transport, and the remaining 20 per cent are made as sustainably as possible.
This latest stage of our ambitious strategy for EVCP provision is all about ensuring that residents have the best possible support and infrastructure to use electric vehicles, particularly as after 2030, the Government is set to cease the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.
At the heart of this is a commitment to ensure that residents have easy access to a charging socket and if they do not have one at home, they will be within 200 metres of one.
“In 2020, we had 93 sockets across the borough and since that time we have increased these to more than 1,700 – a great achievement.
“I’m delighted to announce this next stage of our strategy, which will build on this success even further and support the increased demand we have for electric vehicles in the borough. At the heart of this is our commitment to improving local air quality and reducing premature deaths and health risks associated with exposure to toxic air.”
"We are also continuing to urge the Government to reduce VAT charged on the public EV charging network down from 20 per cent to 5 per cent, the same rate if charging from home, and in line with the findings of a recent tribunal on the matter.”