Islington Council launches first electric vehicle charger fast enough to use in your lunch break

The first rapid on-street charger that can charge an electric vehicle in as little as 30 minutes has been launched, as Islington Council continues to take a leading role in cleaning up London’s air quality.

The rapid charging device, located in Sheringham Road at the junction of Lough Road, takes a fraction of the usual three to four hours a typical electric vehicle charger takes.

Instead it can give an 80 per cent charge in around 30 minutes – enough time for a driver to take a quick lunch break – something which is hoped will appeal to motorists, particularly couriers, cabbies and other commercial drivers.

A major roll out of next-generation charging units is under way across Islington. Over the course of the next year 100 roadside charging points are being installed, which will eventually form one of the largest and most widely available networks in the country. The next rapid charger is due to be installed in the Archway area before the end of this financial year.

Cllr Claudia Webbe, Islington Council’s executive member for environment and transport, said: "Investing in next generation chargers is absolutely essential for Islington. We need to move away from toxic diesel vehicles to clean up the air we breathe. With our commitment to install many more rapid chargers, I'm proud that once again Islington is leading the way in clean, sustainable transport in London.

“I’m really pleased to launch Islington’s first on-street rapid charger which marks the next phase in the development Islington’s electric charging network. The council is committed to improving air quality in the borough and the development of charging points for electric vehicles is just one of the many ground-breaking and innovative actions we are taking to clean up the air we breathe.

“Islington is committed to making charging easier and more practical for residents as well as electric taxis, private hire vehicles and commercial vehicles such as couriers, to recharge during the working day.”

To use the on-street charging points, residents need to buy an electric vehicle charging point permit. This costs £67 for the first year and then £20 a year afterwards. Electric vehicle owners will also be consulted on the possibility of setting up a pay-as-you-go system to pay for the electricity used.

Islington Council is also proactively working in other ways to increase the use of electric vehicles like offering free resident parking for electric vehicle owners and supporting the expansion of electric car-sharing clubs.

More information about charging points and the free residents permits available for electric vehicles can be found here: www.islington.gov.uk/roads/electric-vehicles

Stephen Moore
Senior Media Officer
Islington Council
Room G16, Town Hall, Upper Street, London, N1 2UD
Tel: 0207 527 3224
Out of hours mob: 07769 163303
Alternative contact: Media line 020 7527 2307
www.islington.gov.uk
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