Opposition Calls for Transparency on EV Charging Rollout

Conservatives warn of danger of repeating previous errors

2,000 charge points are planned by spring 2026. Picture: Hounslow Council

October 10, 2025

Hounslow Council’s latest move to expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure has drawn both praise and criticism, as the borough embarks on a major partnership with European operator Qwello to install a new network of fast chargers. The initiative is part of the council’s broader ambition to deliver over 2,000 new charging points by spring 2026, a target that now faces scrutiny over delays and delivery risks.

The new contract with Qwello, announced in early October, will see the installation of alternating current (AC) chargers capable of delivering up to 22 kW—enabling a typical full charge in three to five hours. The rollout will be fully funded by the charge point operator, with features including contactless payment, reservable sessions via the Qwello app, and 24/7 customer support. The first sites are expected to be confirmed following technical assessments, with a phased installation to follow.

The opposition Conservative group has raised concerns about the council’s approach, warning that the programme risks repeating past mistakes. Councillor Peter Thompson, Leader of the Conservative Group, criticised what he described as a pattern of “glossy press releases” without sufficient local engagement. “Residents are then left facing installation works outside their homes with no warning and no clear plan for how locations are chosen,” he said.

The Conservatives are calling for a full list of proposed charging sites to be published before installation begins, ward-level consultation on all new EV sites, and assurances that resident parking will not be reduced without local support. They also want a realistic delivery timetable and regular progress updates.

The council’s Corporate Plan target of 2,000 new chargers by spring 2026 has already encountered hurdles. Procurement delays and uncertainty over the role of Hounslow Highways have placed the lamp column charging programme “at risk,” according to internal assessments. Earlier efforts, involving providers like Source London and Ubitricity, helped establish a foundation but were marred by issues such as low charging speeds, inconsistent maintenance, and underused units due to poor signage and limited app integration.

Hounslow is among several London boroughs receiving support through the Government’s £381 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund. The borough was awarded £1.1 million in early 2024 to accelerate local charge point delivery, alongside Hackney and others. While this positions Hounslow ahead of some outer London boroughs in terms of funding and ambition, it still lags behind leaders like Westminster and Camden, which have more mature and denser charging networks.

Councillor Katherine Dunne, Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Transport, said the rollout reflects Hounslow’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement. “After awarding one of our fast-charging contracts to Qwello, the Council will now undertake extensive consultation with residents so they can have their say on the proposed EV charging points,” she said. “Resident feedback will be considered and charging points adapted where necessary on a case-by-case basis. This is part of our wider commitment to be a ‘listening council’ and for residents to help shape our services.”

Qwello’s experience in cities like Stockholm, Milan and Westminster has been praised for accessibility and reliability, though rollout speed has varied depending on local planning constraints.

The council’s EV Charging Strategy sets ambitious goals: by 2026, residents without off-street parking should be within a 30-second walk of a charge point, and those with off-street parking within five minutes. To meet this, the strategy originally proposed 1,700 slow lamp column chargers, but revised estimates suggest 1,200 will be sufficient to meet current demand. These will be complemented by fast and rapid chargers, with future expansion guided by utilisation data and demand forecasts.

A separate public consultation on lamp column charger locations is expected to launch soon, offering residents a chance to shape the rollout.

Before installation begins, each proposed location will be reviewed internally, then with ward councillors, followed by public consultation. A live platform on Let’s Talk Hounslow will launch later this autumn, allowing residents to view proposed sites and submit feedback. Statutory consultation will follow for the designation of EV parking bays

For updates and consultation details, residents can visit Hounslow’s EV charging page.