'Turbo-charge EV infrastructure in London’s suburbs or risk net zero goals', says campaign group

An analysis of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure by business campaign group London First, in partnership with PwC, has found that those in densely populated residential zones, outside of central London, could be held back in owning an EV by a lack of charging infrastructure.

The analysis identified that limited off-street parking combined with current low levels of public charging solutions in certain boroughs might hinder the shift to EVs where there is demand from a range of consumers with different charging requirements.

The new joint report ‘Electric Vehicles: developing a consumer-led approach to infrastructure planning’ outlines that a key intervention to accelerating EV infrastructure rollout in these areas is better use of data to guide investment prioritisation.

Increasing the availability of public and private charge points and driving uptake of EVs could help reduce carbon emissions between 1.5 and 2.6 million tonnes per year by 2030, the same year as the Mayor of London’s target to be carbon neutral.

According to London First, reaching this target will require private sector funding and a regulatory framework that incentivises investment. It also requires close public-private collaboration and information sharing in areas such as demand for EV charging, funding, land use, electrical grid capacity and EV consumer experience.

John Kavanagh, programme director, infrastructure at London First, said: “Electric Vehicles will be fundamental to the delivery of net zero in London by 2030.

“A public-private data collaboration led by London First and our members under the Data for London Framework will help decision makers at the local and national level to visualise how to optimise the location and delivery of much needed charging infrastructure.

“This will enable public and private investment and stimulate demand for EVs, while helping support the capital’s transition to net-zero by 2030.”

Harjit Lota, director PwC, added: “Unlocking the availability of, and accessibility to convenient EV charging infrastructure for those that need it will be key nudging behaviours in the right direction to support the shift to EVs.

“The need to get this right is important in terms of social inequality, and integration with other transport modes including active travel - to help deliver net-zero and other benefits for London.”