Ealing Council is continuing to install new 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.
The number of electric vehicles in the borough is growing, with more than 5,900 in the borough at the end of 2022. However, for many people a key concern with an electric vehicle is not being able to charge it easily.
Consulting on new fast charging points
The council is currently seeking the views from residents in the roads listed below where it is proposed to install fast, new electric vehicle charging points with dedicated parking spaces. The roads being consulted on are:
- Cavendish Avenue – W13
- Clitherow Avenue – W7
- Park Road – W7
- Park View Road – UB1
- Rossall Crescent – NW10
- Saxon Drive – W3
- Selbourne Gardens – UB6
- Thurston Road – UB1
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.
The council is aiming for every resident in the borough to be within a 5-minute walk of an electric vehicle charging point (EVCP) and to ensuring charge points are distributed across the borough, not just in high electric vehicle take up areas.
‘Rapidly expand the number’
Councillor Deirdre Costigan, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for climate action, said: “We are committed to tackling climate change and improving local air quality. A year ago we had 230 EVCPs and that has now almost doubled to 450. We’re on track to meet our commitment to deliver 2,500 by 2026, meeting the targets set by the Department for Transport and Transport for London four years early.
“We want to rapidly expand the number of accessible EVCPs for those without a driveway or home charging option. It is important that the views of local people are considered, alongside the growing demand for chargers, which is why we are consulting with you.
“Switching to an electric vehicle could be great for your bank balance as well as the planet. Running costs are far lower than traditional cars, and electric vehicles are exempt from the congestion charge and ultra-low emission zone schemes.
“More electric cars on local roads in place of petrol and diesel vehicles also mean lower emissions and cleaner air.”
‘Choose active travel’
“To support these aims, we are also rolling out a huge, £10million programme to support local people to choose active travel such as walking, cycling and scooting over shorter journeys by car,” said Councillor Costigan. “This includes everything from new cycle routes and bike storage, to improved surfaces for roads and paths, to our School Streets programme, which is making it easier for children to walk, scoot and cycle to and from the school gates.”
Give your views
Read the consultation documentation and give your views through a short online questionnaire. This consultation will be run between 13 February and 13 March 2023.
More information
You can find details of all electric vehicle charge point locations through the council’s website
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.
