The move is part of the Council’s commitment to decarbonise the transport system in Hackney - a key goal in its Climate Action Plan - and it is set to agree a further contract for up to 150 rapid chargers across the borough, which fully charge EVs in under an hour. This will take the total number of charging points in Hackney to 3,000 by 2026.
It is claimed that rollout will result in the most concentrated network of EV chargers in any local authority area in the UK.
All of the charging points will use 100% renewable energy, with a discounted rate available for Hackney residents through Hackney Light and Power, the Council’s energy services arm.
While only a third of households in Hackney own a car, the new charging network is designed to encourage those drivers and businesses to switch to electric vehicles or to new electric vehicle car clubs.
The rollout will be completed at no cost to the Council, with its partner Zest, which is backed by the Government-sponsored Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund, set to fund the capital and operational costs of the program.
The first of the new chargers will be installed in late 2023. 1,500 slow chargers will be mounted on existing lampposts. The 1,000 fast chargers and 150 rapid chargers (both of which will have capacity for two vehicles) will be installed in existing parking bays so they do not take up space on pavements. The rollout of the new chargers will be completed by 2026.
New electric vehicle charging only bays will be introduced by every charge point and, as part of the rollout, every housing estate in the borough will be served by at least one charging point, with a target of 300 charging points located on estates.
The network is planned to meet expected demand from Hackney residents - whether this is residential overnight charging or professional drivers needing to charge fully in 30 minutes.
