Sadiq Khan at the launch of a London rapid charging network for electric vehicles
(Picture: PA)Sadiq Khan has hailed London’s “electric vehicle revolution” and praised efforts to increase their uptake in the capital and across the UK.
Giving the closing address at the Evening Standard’s Plug It In Summit on Thursday, the Mayor of London stressed that all sectors must “put our foot down to accelerate” the shift towards electric vehicles.
The summit brought together policy makers, business leaders and industry experts for discussions and keynote speeches highlighting the successes and challenges facing the electric vehicle industry.
Among the speakers were Andrew Brem, UK general manager of Uber, and Jonathan Goodman, chief executive of electric vehicle manufacturer Polestar.
Mr Khan said it was encouraging to see key players coming together “with the shared goal of increasing the number of electric vehicles on our roads”.
He said: “With growing sales of electric vehicles, it really does feel like the automotive industry is standing on the cusp of another seismic change. Moving around London today, you certainly see more electric cars on our roads, more green number plates and more charging points springing up.
“These are clear signs that the electric vehicle revolution is now underway. And, while it hasn’t arrived a moment too soon, it is the case that collectively we must put our foot down and accelerate this critical shift, because as the climate science shows, we don’t have a second to lose.”
He announced that 100 new rapid charging points would be installed by the end of 2030, as revealed by the Standard yesterday.
The UK has more than 34,000 charging points, 11,000 of which are in London, 1,000 of those rapid.
Earlier, Uber’s Andrew Brem highlighted the importance of charging infrastructure.
He said: “It’s embarrassing to us that the highest number of chargers are in Kensington, while the majority of Uber drivers are in Redbridge or Newham. We’re working to change that.”
