Wandsworth to benefit from multi-million pound EV boost

Wandsworth council has announced plans for hundreds of new charging points and the establishment of an eco-friendly electric car club.

The growth in electric vehicle use in Wandsworth – and the direct benefit on air quality levels this provides to all residents - is set to receive a multi-million pound boost councillors on the community services scrutiny committee will be told next week.

At their meeting on Tuesday, February 20, councillors will be told of plans for at least another 227 electric vehicle charging lamposts to be offered on request to residents who have already bought or are about to purchase a new electric car.

This is as well as plans for the installation of charging plugs in 380 lamposts within two pilot zones – in Putney (149) and Battersea (231) – to gauge local demand and encourage more people to make the switch to electric. The results from these trial schemes could see lampost charging extended to other residential areas.

In addition, 120 Source London car charging points are to be installed at various locations across the borough, augmenting the 99 that are already in use at 33 separate places in Wandsworth.

There are also plans for the establishment of a new e-car club in Wandsworth – offering a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to car ownership, providing electric vehicles to hire by the hour, day or week.

At next week’s meeting councillors will be told that the aim is to create an unparalleled level of infrastructure in Wandsworth so that owning an electric vehicle “becomes the norm not the exception”.