Wandsworth en route towards 1,000 electric vehicle charging point across the Brighter Borough

By the end of March another 215 charging sockets are set to be fitted to lampposts and other on street locations.

This will bring the total number of publicly available charge points in Wandsworth to 936 with further installations planned. This total number also includes private sector owned chargers.

Wandsworth has been a trailblazer for EV infrastructure and continues to host more public chargepoints than almost any other local authority across the UK, continuously expanding the offering for those without access to off-street charging. The borough’s comprehensive network also provides reliable charging for visitors, supporting local businesses and reducing local air pollution linked to those who travel to the borough for work or leisure.

Most of the borough’s charging sockets have been fitted to lamposts to reduce pavement clutter and keep footpaths free for pedestrians. The power supply for these chargers, which have been installed in partnership with energy firm ubitricity and Siemens comes from zero carbon sources of energy.

Wandsworth has embraced electric vehicle technology as one strand of its efforts to tackle climate change and improve local air quality. It is fully committed to supporting efforts to persuade residents and businesses to make the switch from diesel and petrol-powered vehicles to cleaner and greener electric versions.

Another reason why EV charging points are being fast tracked in Wandsworth is to support residents affected by the recently expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), which now includes all parts of the capital within the north and south circular roads from October. Electric vehicles are exempt from ULEZ charges.

This route towards emissions free motoring is also being embraced by the council, whose own fleet of cars, vans and lorries is gradually being replaced by electric versions. All will eventually go electric as suitable vehicles become available.

There are also EV choices available locally for those who don’t need to own a vehicle but want to enjoy occasional eco-friendly motoring. The Zipcar Flex car club includes a proportion of EVs, offering a convenient and eco-friendly alternative to car ownership, providing electric vehicles to hire by the hour, day or longer periods. Wandsworth has the highest take-up rate of car club membership in the country with more than 31,000 registered members.

Transport spokesman John Locker said: “We are busy putting in place the key infrastructure needed to help our residents who want to make the move from petrol and diesel to electric.

“The rapid growth in the number of charging points we have supported in Wandsworth means that running an electric vehicle is now a realistic choice for local people.

“We will continue to invest in this eco-friendly technology as part of our efforts to improve the borough’s air quality and also to help us deliver our ambitious climate change targets.”

To view a map of the borough’s charging points visit zap-map.com. For more information about owning an electric vehicle in the borough visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/driveelectric.

To find out more about how the council is working to improve local air quality visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/airquality.

The council has declared a climate emergency and unveiled ambitious plans to tackle climate change. The aim is to make Wandsworth inner London’s greenest borough by becoming carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon zero by 2050. For more information visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/climatechange.