TfL opens electric charging hub in south London

The new charging hub has space for up to eight vehicles

Transport for London (TfL) has opened a new rapid charging hub at Glass Yard in Woolwich, south London.  The ‘petrol station’ for electric vehicles allows drivers to charge up in 20-30 minutes, with eight charging spots available.

The facility in south London is part of TfL’s strategy to have a rapid charging hub in every one of the capital’s five sub-regions. The first was in east London at Stratford International and a site at Baynard House in the City of London, the central location, is currently being constructed. TfL says more will follow in the north and west of the city.

There are now more than 7,000 charging points within the M25 (a motorway marking London’s unofficial boundary), an increase of more than 2,000 over the last year. Some are dedicated specifically to more than 4,300 zero emission capable black cabs.

Taxi drivers have also been able to access up to £10,000 to take diesel-powered engines off the road and through the Office of Low Emission Vehicles are being given a grant of £3,500 to go electric.

On 25 October, the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will expand up to but not including the North and South Circular roads. The expanded ULEZ is 18 times the current zone and TfL expects it to contribute to a fall of harmful nitrogen dioxide of around 30 per cent across the whole of London.

While the charging infrastructure installed more than meets demand for now, TfL says a huge rise in demand is expected over the next few years as the take up of electric vehicles increases.

The Mayor’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Delivery Plan estimates that by 2025, London may need up to 4,000 rapid charging points and up to 48,000 residential chargers as more and more people and businesses move to electric vehicles.

“It’s essential that we increase the supply of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles as we support the shift to these vehicles to clean up London’s air and decarbonise transport in the city,” said Alex Williams, TfL’s Director of City Planning.

“We have seen an increase of more than 2,000 charging points in the capital over the last year and these new hubs are a key part of that expansion.

“The state-of-the art facility at Glass Yard gives people confidence that they will have a charge point available when they arrive and not have to wait long until they are fully powered up.

‘These hubs will be spread across the capital and complement the dense charging network we already have, meaning range anxiety is not something drivers have to worry about in London.”

“I’m delighted that TfL has opened a new rapid charging hub in south London, the second of five rapid charging hubs Londoners will soon be able to make use of around the capital,” added Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.

“Petrol and diesel vehicles are major contributors to air pollution in London so it is essential that we make it as easy as possible for people to swap their cars, vans and motorcycles to greener, electric versions.

“We are facing a climate emergency and, as the UK prepares to host the COP 26 climate conference later this year, it has never been more important to encourage people, organisations and businesses to make the change to zero emission vehicles to support my aim for London to become net zero carbon by 2030.”