Slow decision-making and bureaucracy in councils, together with different approaches to charge points across the capital’s boroughs, have hamstrung the roll-out.
Kevin Welstead, the sector director for electric vehicles at SSE Enterprise, stated: “Progress has not been rapid. The issue is that we have to effectively negotiate with 33 individual London boroughs so we can install charge points alongside their parking bays. Some are more progressive on the electric vehicle agenda than others.”
The Guardian reported that 130 charging points are in limbo in Southwark, a borough which is otherwise seen as good on electric cars. While the points were given planning approval in 2016, permission has not been given by highways management, meaning they cannot be installed. Planning permission expires next year.
Welstead said ministers and Khan had rightly supported electric vehicles. He then added: “Our experience as an infrastructure provider is that this message has not seeped all the way through.”
Demand
One explanation could be that some boroughs are not seeing much demand from constituents, so are not prioritising approvals. There has also reportedly been a growth in very localised opposition, including some conservation areas.
However, there are hotspots of demand for charging points, including Camden, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham and Southwark.
The mayor of London launched an electric vehicle infrastructure task force in May. This focused on “rapid chargers”, not the slower chargers that comprise most of the Source London network. There are nearly 4,000 charging points in London, according to Charge Map.
London Councils, which represents the city’s 33 boroughs, denied holding back the switch to electric cars.
Councillor Julian Bell, who chairs the group’s transport and environment committee, stated: “London boroughs are committed to supporting environmentally friendly transport and are leading the way in delivering an effective network of electric vehicle charging points across the capital.”
Southwark council did not deny that 130 chargers were in limbo, adding it had 100-150 lamp-post electric car charging points planned for the next 12 months.
