RACF backs Mayor's race to electrify capital's road transport
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has launched his blueprint to “to cut harmful emissions and propel London towards a greener future.”
Amongst the proposals in the Mayor’s EV infrastructure delivery plan is the creation of five rapid charging hubs, the first of which will be up and running by the end of the year in the Square Mile, London’s financial district.
The plan also envisages ultra-rapid charging points at London petrol stations and the expansion of electric-car clubs.
The plan was informed by contributions from the Mayor’s EV infrastructure taskforce of which the RAC Foundation is a member. In total one hundred and forty organisations have contributed.
Currently, in London, there are:
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- 1,700 electric taxis
- Europe’s largest electric bus fleet
- 175 rapid charge points installed by Transport for London
- 1,100 lamppost charging points delivered by the boroughs
- ZipCar intends to have a fully-electric fleet by 2025. Already there are 325 fully-electric e-Golfs
Overall, London hosts 25% of the UK’s EV charge points, with 2,400 public chargers in 1,200 locations.
The Mayor’s aim is to improve the capital’s air quality by aiming to become a zero-emission city.
Sadiq Khan said:
“I want to lead the world in this ambition, with all new cars and vans on London roads to meet [zero-emission] standards by 2030, not 2040 as the government is proposing.”
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said:
“The Mayor’s plan rightly recognises that delivering a recharging network on the scale and complexity envisaged for London will involve a multitude of players, a large number of who, including ourselves, have been pleased to be part of this taskforce.”
ENDS
Contacts:
Philip Gomm – Head of External Communications – RAC Foundation
020 7747 3445 | 07711 776448 | [email protected] | 020 7389 0601 (ISDN)
Notes to editors:
The RAC Foundation is a transport policy and research organisation that explores the economic, mobility, safety and environmental issues relating to roads and their users. The Foundation publishes independent and authoritative research with which it promotes informed debate and advocates policy in the interest of the responsible motorist.
The RAC Foundation is a registered charity, number 1002705.
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