Electric car charging point within 1 mile of every Londoner by 2015

Electric car charging points - today at the Copenhagen Climate Summit, Mayor Boris Johnson has announced that every Londoner will be no more than one mile from an electric car charging point by 2015. Johnson revealed detailed plans to deliver a comprehensive network of electric charging points in London. 

This is seen as a key measure in supporting the mainstream use of zero emission (at tailpipe) electric vehicles. This announcement was part of a key address to city leaders from around the world.  He was trying to promote London as having advanced plans, specifically to make electric cars an everyday occurance in the UK capital.

A coalition of major cities, including London as currently working together to try to use their collective influence to create a global market for electric vehicles.  The development of these charging points is the first part of a plan to make London the electric capital of Europe.

Based on the strategy by 2015 in London there will be 22,500 charging points in workplaces, 500 on the street and 2,000 in public car parks (a massive increase on the current couple of hundred electric car charging points available in the UK in 2009!). Coverage will be ensured through siting charging points at key locations on the road network and motorway service stations.  There will also be a one stop website and membership scheme for electric car owners.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: 'A golden era of clean, green electric motoring is upon us and London is well ahead of cities around the globe in preparing the right conditions for this.  There is an urgent need to tackle the risk of serious and irreversible climate change, yet this does not need to be about hair shirt abstinence. I want to pursue radical yet practical steps to cut energy waste. Electric vehicles are a clear example of how technology can provide the solution to the biggest challenge of our generation.'

Early next year, after 'detailed investigations' into procurement the Greater London Authority will seek to buy some 1,000 electric vehicles for their fleet, to be in place by 2015. 

What will this all cost?  Well Boris is looking for funding from the Government to help.  May we suggest a re-allocation of RBS board member bonuses!