Huge growth in the number of electric vehicles in London is not being supported by as large an increase in the number of charging points, according to a new report.

 

The London Assembly’s environment committee says the number of electric vehicles in the capital grew by 50% last year to 12,000, but the number of charging points increased by only 17% in 12 months to around 1870 this year.

 

It calls on the Mayor to offer capital funding to install electric charging points where private sector investment is not happening quickly enough.

 

“The time is ripe for London to take charge, if we want to future proof this city for an electric car revolution,” said environment committee member Leonie Cooper. “We need to get the number and location of charging points right, as well as raise awareness of charging points in the capital.”

 

She added that the Mayor should also encourage people to become members of electric car clubs, rather than owning their own electric vehicle. Sixty percent of Londoners do not have their own garage or driveway and would likely rely on charging posts in the street if they bought an electric vehicle.

 

The committee also called on the Mayor to encourage London boroughs to offer free or discounted parking for electric vehicles for a limited time to encourage take up.

 

A spokesman for the Mayor of London said: “Transport for London is investing £18M in a new network of rapid charge points, with more than 100 installed so far. However we will only reach the numbers London needs if local authorities install these points on the 95% of the road network they control.

 

“A further £4.5M has also been made available to deliver regular on street charging points for residents without off street parking. The Mayor is urging residents to contact their local council to request a point near their home.”

 

A spokesman for London Councils, which represents boroughs, welcomed the report and said boroughs are set to quadruple the number of on street charging points in the next year, which will see a further 2600 installed.