Ealing Council improves EV charge point provision

Installation of Believ infrastructure has now completed at 44 sites in the area.

In total, 83 individual charge points have been added to the existing network, offering 166 additional sockets for vehicle recharging. 

Ealing has already set itself a target of 2000 charge points by 2026. In 2022, the borough ranked 25th out of London’s 32 local authorities for access to rapid charging points, and 21st for charge points of all types, leading to calls for immediate investment in the area to bring provision closer in line to where it should be to meet climate goals. 

The rollout of EV infrastructure has been a major cause for concern among campaigners, urban planners and developers for some time now. Reports have shown the disproportionate spread of vital charge points, with London and the South East having far more compared the least served regions of the country. 

In September, analysis from the County Councils Network showed that rural areas are significantly disadvantaged, with just one charge point available every ten miles. This compared with one every 3/4mile in London and one every 4.5miles for major towns and cities nationwide. This year, the number of EVs on British roads surpassed the 1million mark, rising exponentially since 2018, when there were just 70,337 registered.

‘With a focus on installing where residents are no more than a 10-minute walk from a charge point, Ealing Council has already doubled the number of charging points in the borough in a year, and I am confident that our joint efforts can help us reach our goal of 2,000 EVCP’s by 2026, lowering emissions and reducing air pollution for our residents,’ said Deirdre Costigan, Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Deputy Leader of Ealing Council. ‘It’s crucial that our 7 towns and their suburban areas benefit equally as EV charging infrastructure will boost local businesses, attracting more visitors to the borough to experience everything Ealing has to offer.’

More on EVs: 

Weak Government scheme means EV fleet drivers lose money per mile

43% of UK drivers won’t switch to EV ‘unchartered territory’

Why organisational sustainability strategies must include EVs

Image: Believ