A consultation on where in Tower Hamlets on-street charging points for electric vehicles should be installed has launched today (Monday). This forms part of the council’s climate change and clean air strategy.

The decision to install more electric charging points was approved by the council’s cabinet in September.With increasing demand for electric vehicle charging, the extra charging points will help to deliver the council priority of encouraging people to use cleaner vehicles.

It will also help to reduce emissions from road traffic and help deliver the Mayor of London’s target for a zero emission transport network by 2050.

While private cars make up the majority of electric vehicles in the borough the council also wants to prepare for 1 January 2018 when new Transport for London regulations will require all new taxis to be electric.

The new charging points will assist the 500 or more licensed taxi drivers living in the borough. The aim is to have a minimum of 150 on-street electric vehicle charging points by 2025 which would be capable of supporting up to 3300 vehicles.

John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: Improving air quality is a key priority of mine. The introduction of electric vehicle charging points will make it easier for those who own electric vehicles to park and charge them.

We will be consulting residents on potential locations and I am hoping the increasing convenience of charging will encourage more residents to change to an environmentally friendly car that helps reduce pollution.

Cllr Amina Ali, Lead Member for Environment said: This is an important element in the council’s work to support communities wanting to live greener lives.

We know 53% of air pollution in the borough comes from road traffic emissions which we want to try to reduce by encouraging more walking and cycling and generally leading more healthy lives.

The consultation will focus on the types of charging units including: Rapid charge units which can charge a car in 30 minutes.

These will be provided in partnership with Transport for London and will be targeted at locations convenient for passing traffic, visitors and taxis.

Slow charge units will be provided in residential areas to allow residents to charge cars overnight.

To take part in the consultation click here. The consultation closes on 22 December 2017.

– Press realise