Seeing the light – London gets first lamppost EV charging points

The first lamppost-mounted electric vehicle charging points in London have been installed, making EV ownership more accessible for residents.

Southwark Council has fitted 50 points in two locations – Borough and Bankside, as well as Dulwich. The points have been provided by supplier Char.gy, which offers rolling contracts and pay-and-go services for their use.

The council says putting charging points on lampposts ‘is a great option’ as they use existing infrastructure and can be moved should demand fluctuate.

It plans to fit more points in the near future but hasn’t specified which areas will be next to benefit.

Cllr Richard Livingstone, cabinet member for environment, transport management and air quality, said: “These electric vehicle charge points are being installed in residential streets, outside people’s homes, in response to feedback from our residents.

“We want to help people to make decisions that improve air quality here in Southwark, be that by walking, cycling and taking public transport, or by using clean fuel. These new charge points are making it easier than ever for people who live in Southwark to make the switch to electric vehicles.”

The installation of the charging points follows the council’s successful bid to join the Go Ultra Low project, which prepares cities for a switch to electric vehicles, and saw it awarded £300,000 as a result.

Cllr Julian Bell, chairman of London Councils’ transport and environment committee, said: “It’s exciting to see new on-street electric vehicle charge points being installed in Southwark. This work demonstrates London boroughs’ commitment to providing the infrastructure needed to deliver this important service.

“I look forward to seeing more charging points installed across Southwark and other London boroughs as part of the Go Ultra Low City Scheme, which aims to encourage the switch to electric vehicles to help clean up London’s air.”