Several prominent London councils have not yet accepted the opportunity to sign up for the Government’s funding scheme to accelerate the installation of new electric car chargers.
New Freedom of Information research has found that 11 councils across the capital have yet to submit an application for the £25million Electric Vehicle Pavement Channels Grant.
The data, which was first obtained by The Fast Charge newsletter, shows that many local authorities are failing to take advantage of the funding available to help drivers make the switch.
Funding is available to help drivers install so-called “charging gullys”, which allow the electric car owner to funnel the EV charging cable from their homes through the pavement and to their cars.
This is quickly becoming a popular solution for drivers who do not have access to a driveway, especially in high-density, urban areas, including across London.
London councils which have failed to take advantage of the application process include Ealing, Hackney, Hounslow, Islington, Lambeth, Merton, Waltham Forest and Westminster.
Most of the councils in London that can still make a funding request are Labour-run, aside from City of London (Independent), Kensington and Chelsea (Conservative) and Tower Hamlets (Aspire).
Aside from councils in the capital, several other councils have yet to make an application, including Cornwall, Herefordshire, Kent, Leicester, Medway, Staffordshire, Wokingham and Worcestershire.
A handful of local authorities are yet to apply for funding for pavement channels
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KERBO CHARGE
The councils which have submitted applications for the EV Pavement Channels Grant will be allocated £23.2million to help drivers across the country make the transition away from petrol and diesel vehicles.
Drivers can apply to their local councils for a grant to install the charging gully, which could help motorists save up to £1,500 a year.
The major savings can be achieved when comparing the price of an electric car charging on an EV-friendly home tariff, compared to running a petrol or diesel car.
Commenting in July about the new grant scheme, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the funding was part of Labour’s Plan for Change, which aims to support more drivers in their switch to electric.
She continued, saying: “We are making it easier and cheaper to own an electric vehicle.
“We know access to charging is a barrier for people thinking of making the switch, so we are tackling that head-on so that everyone – whether or not they have a driveway – can access the benefits of going electric.
“Our investment is about more than just charging points – it’s about charging up Britain’s economy.”
London Councils, the collective of local authorities in the capital, previously supported the use of funding for pavement chargers after the Government announced the £25million funding boost.
Data from the organisation found that 61 per cent of Londoners do not have access to off-street parking, making the grant funding worthwhile for many drivers across the city.
Enfield Council has already trialled a cross-pavement charging channel with Kerbo Charge, which is now available borough-wide. The council aims to become carbon neutral by 2040.
Mayor Brenda Dacres, London Councils’ Executive member for Transport and Environment, said: “Cross-pavement charging is a simple but powerful innovation that can help open up affordable home charging to thousands of residents.
“Just as importantly, it helps reduce trip hazards caused by loose charging cables, keeping our pavements safe and accessible for all.”