UK Power Networks has recently completed the installation of 60 Electric Vehicle (EV) charging posts at 12 London Underground (LU) car parks across the capital.

The charging posts have the capacity to charge two vehicles simultaneously, can provide charging at either fast (7kw) or rapid (22kw) rates, and are accessible through the Source London charging network.

The new charging points have been installed to help make car travel in London greener and will enable London’s power distributor to plan for the future impact which large clusters of rapid charging points will have on the capital’s electricity network.

Funding has been provided through the Office for Low Emission Vehicles’ Plugged in Places Scheme and through UK Power Network Services.

The installation of the charging points, manufactured by Siemens, will allow EV drivers to connect conveniently with public transport on the Metropolitan, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria and Central lines.

The charging points are located at: Loughton, Snaresbrook, Newbury Park and Redbridge (Central line); Cockfosters, Oakwood and Arnos Grove (Piccadilly line); Stanmore (Jubilee line) and Rayners Lane and Chalfont and Latimer (Metropolitan line); Blackhorse Road (Victoria line); and High Barnet (Northern line).

Michael Clark, Low Carbon London programme director for UK Power Networks, said: “These new public charge points are among hundreds we are monitoring in London to help us design smarter ways to support electric vehicle expansion, without overloading the electricity network.

“By monitoring the habits of EV users at these new charge points we will strengthen our understanding of the peaks likely to occur on our electricity network.

“We are exploring ‘smart’ solutions to manage those peaks, without incurring the cost and disruption of digging up the road to lay new cables, supporting take-up of low carbon technologies which can deliver cleaner air for the capital.”

First bulk of repaid charge points

Graeme Craig, director of commercial development at Transport for London, said: “This is the first bulk installation of rapid electric vehicle charge points in London and will allow drivers using the points to give their cars a full charge in just one hour.

“They provide a very welcome addition to our LU car parks, increasing customer choice and encouraging the take up of more electric vehicles to help the Mayor in his aim to deliver cleaner air and reduce carbon emissions in the capital.”

UK Power Networks’ Low Carbon London research is studying the habits of London EV drivers including the time of day vehicles are charged, duration, location and amount of electricity transferred.

As the architects of the electricity networks which will be needed to cater for the growth in electric cars, UK Power Networks is working with Imperial College London to explore the impact EVs will have on the electricity systems of tomorrow and plan for it today.

Other EV commitments made by UK Power Networks:

• Low Carbon London EV trials are underway monitoring 77 residential, 66 commercial and more than 1,000 public charging points in London.
• Free EV charging points offered to London residents and businesses participating in the Low Carbon London EV research.
• Fifty new Nissan Leaf cars are being leased to residential and commercial customers in London, supported by free charging units as part of the Low Carbon London trials.
• Three new Peugeot iOns EVs joined UK Power Networks’ fleet.