Ealing Council is continuing to add electric vehicle charging points across the borough to help to improve local air quality, encourage active travel and help people make the switch from more polluting cars.  

With far lower running costs than traditional cars, exemption from the congestion charge and ultra-low emission zone schemes, as well as no road tax fees, switching to an electric vehicle could be a great for your bank balance as well as the planet.

What is more, the council is increasing the number of charge points at locations across the borough and is set to hit the 300 mark by the end of this year – all with the aim of giving residents easier access to a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly way of getting around.

Cutting the number of local journeys made by high polluting vehicles is central to the council’s climate strategy, which aims to cut carbon emissions in the borough and achieve ‘net zero’ by 2030. We all must make bold changes to our lives now or face climate crisis and the huge consequences of rising temperatures, food shortages and extreme weather on our doorsteps.

Councillor Deirdre Costigan, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate action, said: “We are committed to tackling climate change and improving local air quality.

“By putting in place electric vehicle charging points we are supporting residents to take up the use of electric vehicles. In fact, the council is installing 150 extra charge points in 2021, by working with two suppliers, Source London and Siemens Ubitricty.

“So, with the 176 charge points already in place, by the end of 2021 we’ll have more than 300 available across the borough. We are working to provide on-street electric vehicle charging points within a ten-minute walk of all residents in the borough.

“It is all part of our ambitious commitment to active improve the way we travel, which includes cycle routes, school streets, 24-hour bus lanes and two permanent low traffic neighbourhoods to make active making travel more healthy, accessible and easy for all of us.”

• You can find details of all EV charge point locations through the council’s website
  
• Zipcar have recently launched their ‘Zipcar Flex’ option which now include electric vehicles as part of their car club – which residents are encouraged to try for themselves. The Zipcar Flex area initially includes Acton, Ealing Broadway and South Ealing.  It is planned to expand the service into the rest of the borough in future
  
• With Transport for London’s (TfL) Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expanding to include parts of the borough, now is a great time to time to think about switching to an electric vehicle and avoiding any potential charges. Find out more about ULEZ at TfL’s website.