London borough rolls out ultra-rapid EV charge point network

Tower Hamlets Council in London is working with electric vehicle (EV) charge point operator (CPO) Believ to roll out the first of more than 70 chargers across 35 sites in the borough. The first 17 are now live.

The rollout is Believ’s largest rapid and ultra rapid charging deployment to date and will support residents and commuters travelling through the borough in making the EV transition.

Lack of off-street parking

The densely populated central London borough serves as a major transit route for traffic arriving from the northeast and east and is among the local authorities with the highest demand for public charging, with 93 per cent of homes reportedly lacking off-street parking, according to the council.

The project, which is fully funded by Believ, will offer both rapid and ultra-rapid charging options. This will provide convenient, shorter charging sessions for a range of users, including taxis, fleet vehicles, commuters and local residents, ensuring convenient charging across the borough.

“This rollout is another important step towards delivering our Climate Emergency Plan by reducing transport emissions and supporting a cleaner, greener Tower Hamlets”

All charge points will be located on street, strategically positioned to ensure practical access for residents and commuters, enabling them to charge their vehicles without having to travel a significant distance outside of their usual routes.

To protect current parking access, a system has been devised to include a mixture of dedicated EV parking bays and standard parking bays with EV charging access.