Newride's database now includes over 180 EV recharge points in over 60 locations across London and the UK.

Charging points are springing up in disparate towns and cities, but it is London that is really forging ahead and is fast cementing its position as the EV capital of the world.

London now has one of the largest number of private vehicles powered solely by electricity of any global city, and now boasts over 60 locations where members of the public can access a charge point.

During the summer more than 20 new publicly accessible recharge points have been installed across the capital. Westminster City Council added 12 ‘juice points’ to the streets around central London in May, this month the new SWELTREC network has been provided by the ten boroughs which form the South and West London Transport Conference Partnership, and Camden Borough Council have plans for four more points which will follow shortly.

The summer has also brought with it a pledge from London Mayor, Boris Johnson, to nearly treble the number of points across the city, as well as a commitment to create an `EV partnership`, which will promote the uptake and ensure consistent policies in relation to EVs across the London boroughs.

All of this bodes well for residents who are concerned about their environmental impact, and who might also be happy to save some money on fuel costs by investing in one of a growing range of electrically powered cars.

Dr Ben Lane, an independent transport expert, said that the growing number of charging points and the political commitment of the new Mayor signalled a bright future for EVs in the capital.

He commented: "The roll-out of new on-street recharging networks, such as the one launched by SWELTRAC, is the last piece in the policy jigsaw to support electric vehicles in the capital. With growing support from the Boroughs and the Mayor, the number of EVs on London's roads is likley to increase rapidly in the next few years."

This week sees the launch in SW London of the largest electric vehicle recharging zone in the country.

A new network of recharging points is being installed across the ten Boroughs that form the South and West London Transport Conference Partnership (SWELTRAC). Led by Richmond Council, the partnership is promoting the use of electric vehicles as a viable alternative to fossil-fuelled (petrol and diesel) vehicles.

The recharging network, which is the first joint-Borough service of its kind in the country, will enable drivers of EVs to recharge their vehicles at any of the points in the SWELTRAC boroughs. The first nine posts have been installed in car parks in Richmond upon Thames, Hammersmith and Fulham, Sutton, and Wandsworth, and there are plans for significantly more to follow across the whole region.

Each Electrobay recharging point costs a total of £3,300, and has been installed thanks to funding from Transport for London, the Energy Saving Trust and EDF Energy. Users will be able to `plug and go` for a small annual fee of £100 which will cover administration costs.

Cllr David Trigg, Cabinet Member for Transport and Traffic, said: "We hope that by providing the charging posts we can encourage people to switch to electric vehicles and take up environmentally friendly travel. With fuel prices becoming higher and with electric motor technologies improving fast, we hope that drivers will consider investing in electric vehicles as a way to save money as well as reduce the impact of their driving on the environment."

Alex Williams, Director of Borough Partnerships at Transport for London said: "London is the only major city in the world to have seen a shift - of five per cent - away from car use towards public transport, walking and cycling in recent years. This change, along with an increase in the popularity of electric vehicles, is clearly beneficial to the environment, and is key to Transport for London's commitment to help people travel in more sustainable ways."

The launch of the new charge points will take place at Old Deer Car Park, Richmond (TW9 2RA) on Wednesday 13th August, and will be attended by the Mayor of Richmond upon Thames and experts from the sustainable transport sector. Residents and visitors will have the opportunity to try out a number of electric cars, and hear from speakers including the independent transport expert and founder of WhatGreenCar.com, Dr Ben Lane, who will be one of the speakers formally opening the new network.

Dr Lane said of the scheme:" While the combustion engine reigned supreme throughout the twentieth century, the twenty-first century will very likely see the increasing use of pure and hybrid battery electric vehicle technology. With the increasingly urgent pressures of climate change and rising oil prices, now is exactly the right time to be strongly promoting EVs. The roll-out of new on-street recharging networks, such as the one launched by SWELTRAC this week, will send a clear signal to motorists thinking of switching to an EV, that local and London government will support them in their choice to go electric."

For information about the locations of the new charge points, go to Newride's interactive London EV recharging map.

Source: SWELTRAC

London Mayor, Boris Johnson, has announced plans for an Electric Vehicle Partnership, to increase the level of support for electric cars in the capital.

Johnson intends to greatly increase the number of charging locations by providing another 100 across the city, and encourage London's Boroughs to reduce parking charges for electric cars. Accroding to the Mayor: "We cannot ignore the importance of the automobile in our great city, especially in outer London and for families, where it is often the only viable form of transport for many journeys. At the same time we cannot ignore the fact that ground based transport, excluding aviation, accounts for 22 per cent of London's emissions of CO2."

"Electric cars provide zero emissions at their point of use. If we can help make these cars affordable, attractive and easy for Londoners to use then I believe we can put London in pole position when it comes to the use of this type of technology."

The use of electric vehicles has already been encouraged in the capital. They currently receive a 100% dicosunt from the Congestion Charge, with around 1,000 vehicles currently being registered for the Alternative Fuel Discount. Transport for London has also alreday provided £60,000 worth of funding to help London Boroughs introduce new on-street electic charging points.

Announcing the new EV Partnership Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor's Director of Transport Policy, said: "We don't want green cars to be seen as a lifestyle choice for eco warriors. We want them to be an attractive option for everyone. We want industry to help the public see that all makes and models from sports coupes to people carriers can be affordable and electric."

"We do understand that electricity is not the silver bullet to emissions. But we think it can greatly reduce CO2 emissions in London. The Electric Vehicle Partnership will aim to make driving an electric vehicle in London cheaper and easier. We want to fund more charging points and show manufacturers that our city is where they should accelerate the delivery of electric cars."

The move has been welcomed by the electric car company NICE, which is positive about the Mayor's commitment to create a greener London. Co-founder of the company, Evert Guertsen, said: "This is all excellent news. Incentives that are clear, consistent and tangible are absolutely central to accelerating the take-up of all-electric cars. This announcement shows Mr Johnson is on the right road."