Borough currently ranks below average on availability
Cllr Busuttil fears a scarcity of local charging points
Concerns are being raised about a scarcity of charging points for electric vehicles in the borough of Ealing.
Figures gathered by price comparison site Compare The Market suggested that the borough ranks 25th out of 32 London local authorities for rapid charging points and 21st for all types of charging points.
The matter was raised recently by Liberal Democrat councillor at the budget meeting. The Labour Portfolio holder responsible for expanding electric vehicle charging points (EVCPs) admitted that Ealing Council has only 299 electric charging points for cars currently and expects only 66 by the middle of next year.
Councillor Busuttil said: “For a borough the size of Ealing (the third most populous Borough in London), this is a derisory amount given the demand from residents to switch to electric vehicles. I asked a supplementary question on whether the council will allow over pavement car charging, like some other Councils, provided the appropriate safety equipment is used, and I got a waffled answer. Liberal Democrats would allow over the pavement charging so more residents can charge their vehicles and expand the network of charging points across Ealing.”
Councillor Deirdre Costigan, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate action, said: “We are committed to tackling climate change and improving local air quality.
“By putting in electric vehicle charging points we are supporting residents to switch to cleaner, low carbon electric vehicles. In fact, the council installed 150 extra charge points last year, by working with two suppliers, Source London and Siemens Ubitricty.
“So, with 299 charge points already in place, by summer we are aiming to have more than 500 available across the borough, which could take us as high as 4th in the rankings. We are working to provide on-street electric vehicle charging points within a ten-minute walk of all residents in Ealing.
“It is all part of our ambitious commitment to active improve the way we travel, which includes cycle routes, school streets, 24-hour bus lanes and two permanent low traffic neighbourhoods, making travel more healthy, accessible and easy for all of us.”
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March 22, 2022
