City Corporation launches EV charging scheme in London’s Barbican

Thirty electric vehicle charging points have been installed across the Barbican, as start of the City Corporation’s plans for a Low Emission Neighbourhood (LEN).

The charging points have both tethered and socketed units, with power outputs ranging from 3kW to 22Kw. They were supplied and commissioned by Chargemaster and installed by SRG Electrical - and are spread across five car parks in the Barbican estate.

The new charging points are part of the City Corporation’s plans for a Low Emission Neighbourhood (LEN), jointly funded by the Mayor of London and the City Corporation. Plans for the LEN also include proposals for green taxi ranks and planting and greening projects designed to improve air quality around the Barbican and Golden Lane Estate areas.

Residents who own an electric vehicle will also be taking part in a six-month trial carried out by environment consultants WSP. If successful, it could lead to a wider rollout of EV charging infrastructure across the City of London.

Jeremy Simons, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Environment Committee, said: “At the beginning of the LEN project, it was one of our ambitions to make more charging points accessible to residents in the City. This has now been achieved.

“We are committed to improving the Square Mile’s air quality and this pilot will help us future-proof the City by encouraging the use of pollution-free electric vehicles.”

Shirley Rodrigues, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, said: “The roll-out of standard charging points across the Barbican is a great step forward in encouraging more residents to shift to zero-emission vehicles, which London desperately needs to clean up our toxic air.

“Communities have a huge role to play in developing innovative new ways to tackle air pollution, which is why the Mayor has invested £5 million in creating five Low Emission Neighbourhoods across the capital, benefitting eight boroughs, where bold action will offer drivers incentives to switch to cleaner vehicles and help transform local areas.

“He has also brought forward the central London Ultra-Low Emission Zone and introduced the T-Charge, and continues to urge the Government to follow his lead and provide greater funding to tackle this public health crisis.”