Council Plugs Into Demand For Electric Charge Points

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Charge points installed at nine locations across Merton

The first of electric vehicle charging points have been switched on in and around Wimbledon to meet rising demand for less polluting vehicles.

Merton Council says the last three years have seen a three-fold increase in the number of electric cars in Merton borough, with 300 residents owning electric cars and many more people going electric throughout the capital.

A total of 21 charge points have been installed across the borough in nine locations with plans to expand the network further.

The power points will be compatible with all electric vehicles and are installed with their own retractable cables, saving users the need to provide their own. The network is accompanied by a free Smartphone app that allows users to find nearby power points, reserve them and report faults.

Source London, the managing company behind the scheme, will charge £2 per hour to use the charging points with most cars being fully charged in four hours. The network will be available to use 24/7 and be supported by a round-the-clock monitoring team.

Merton Council cabinet member for regeneration, environment and housing, Councillor Martin Whelton said: “Car emissions are the biggest contributing factor to harmful pollutants and been identified as a leading cause for ill health and premature death. One of the best ways to tackle the crisis is to encourage drivers to switch from petrol and diesel to Electric Vehicles (EV) and the new network supports this and is part of our work to make Merton a low-pollution borough.

“As a council we have been active in taking measure to improve air quality by introducing a diesel levy and reducing to £25 the electric car permit. This which will go towards increasing the charging point network as well as other local sustainable transport initiatives and infrastructure such as cycle lanes. “

Christophe Arnaud- MD Source London said of the new network: “We are delighted to announce the inauguration of these new Source London charge points. We are excited to provide the residents of Merton with the reliable and affordable EV infrastructure they deserve. We look forward to working with the borough and residents to expand the network in order to encourage the uptake of EVs.

He continued: “We are also busy improving the quality and reliability of Source London charge points across other London Boroughs and will continue to do so for the benefit of the growing number of EV users. Our key driver is to help improve London’s air quality.”

In the first phase, there are 21 charge points across Merton in nine locations:

• Cowdry Road, off Haydons Road
• Dudley Road, Wimbledon
• Gorringe Park, Mitcham
• Wimbledon High Street
• Kingston Road, Wimbledon Chase
• Mostyn Road, Merton Park
• Pincott Road, South Wimbledon
• West Barnes Lane, West Barnes.

For full details of the network visit the Source London site: www.sourcelondon.net.

February 21, 2017