New electric vehicle charging hub opens at Glass Yard, Woolwich

Transport for London (TfL) has opened a brand new electric vehicle charging forecourt at Glass Yard in Woolwich.

The new forecourt for electric vehicles allows drivers to charge up in 20-30 minutes and with eight charging points and is the second of five rapid charging hubs to be spread across the capital.

The facility in south London is part of TfL’s strategy to have a rapid charging hub in every one of the capital’s five sub-regions. The first was in east London at Stratford International and a site at Baynard House in the City of London, the central location, is currently being constructed. More will follow in the north and west.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m delighted that TfL has opened a new rapid charging hub in south London, the second of five rapid charging hubs Londoners will soon be able to make use of around the capital.”

Last year, TfL hit its target of delivering 300 rapid charging points across the capital, and in partnership with the city’s 33 boroughs through the Go Ultra Low Cities scheme, more than 3,000 residential charging points have also been delivered. The points allow drivers to plug their vehicle in overnight and return to it fully charged in the morning.

According to TfL, there are now more than 7,000 charging points within the M25, an increase of more than 2,000 over the last year. Some are dedicated specifically to more than 4,300 zero emission capable black cabs taking fares from Heathrow to Hornchurch. Taxi drivers have also been able to access up to £10,000 to take dirty diesels off the road and through the Office of Low Emission Vehicles are being given a grant of £3,500 to go electric.

Sadiq Khan added: “There are now over 7,000 charge points available to support electric vehicle use in the city and it’s great to see London leading the way in the green vehicle revolution.

“Petrol and diesel vehicles are major contributors to air pollution in London so it is essential that we make it as easy as possible for people to swap their cars, vans and motorcycles to greener, electric versions.  In October, I am expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone up to the North and South Circular roads, which will bring huge benefits to many more Londoners by helping to improve our filthy air.

“We are facing a climate emergency and, as the UK prepares to host the COP 26 climate conference later this year, it has never been more important to encourage people, organisations and businesses to make the change to zero emission vehicles to support my aim for London to become net zero carbon by 2030.”

The Mayor’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Delivery Plan estimates that by 2025, London may need up to 4,000 rapid charging points and up to 48,000 residential chargers as more and more people and businesses move to electric vehicles. A new strategy will be published later this year, addressing future forecasts. It will include analysis of long-term demand, further information on how the Greater London Authority land can be used to ramp up the density of charging points and how the public and private sector can remove barriers to their construction.

Alex Williams, TfL’s director of city planning, commented: “It’s essential that we increase the supply of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles as we support the shift to these vehicles to clean up London’s air and decarbonise transport in the city. We have seen an increase of more than 2,000 charging points in the capital over the last year and these new hubs are a key part of that expansion. Electric vehicle charging hubs that can be used in the same way as a traditional petrol station but without pumping toxic fumes are important in helping people to feel comfortable taking the plunge with an electric vehicle. The state-of-the art facility at Glass Yard gives people confidence that they will have a charge point available when they arrive and not have to wait long until they are fully powered up.

“These hubs will be spread across the capital and complement the dense charging network we already have, meaning range anxiety is not something drivers have to worry about in London. We know there is going to be huge growth in the number of electric vehicles over the next few years. The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy published in the next few months will set out in detail how we will cater for this demand.”