Ealing Council Defends its Record on EV Chargepoints
Opposition says current approach is haphazard and slow
Cllr Busutill - "Liberal Democrats want to see more charging points introduced quicker but ones that are fairly priced for residents"
August 21, 2024
Ealing Council has robustly defended its programme for the installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints across the borough after criticism from the Liberal Democrat opposition.
Residents across the borough have been receiving letters advising them of new chargepoints in their street which, if they live in a Controlled Parking Zone will mean a change of use for some of the parking spaces to enable on street charging.
The Liberal Democrats support the transition to electric charging but say that the current rate of delivery will mean that there will less than one on street chargepoint per hundred adults by 2026.
Councillor Gary Busuttil, Deputy Leader of the Opposition said, “Liberal Democrats say this shows Ealing Labour’s haphazard approach to encouraging more electric drivers. Their ambition is limited to one in which it can only demonstrate two speeds - dead slow or stop.
“They have chosen an approach which is paid for by the suppliers who get their return by hiking the price for electricity supplied. The lack of fairness and equity and the impact on people’s pockets seem to be lost on Ealing Labour who continue to underwhelm with their lack of vision and feeble delivery. Liberal Democrats want to see more charging points introduced quicker but ones that are fairly priced for residents.”
The council says it is on track to reach its projections for the number of chargepoints and is above national rates of deployment.
It is also currently in the process of applying for grant funding from central government’s LEVI (Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure) Fund. As part of the bid, it is aiming to install lamp column chargers to significantly accelerate installs.
Source: National Electric Vehicle Insights and Support
On cost it points out that the rates charged by its partner Believe at 56p/kwh for the fast chargers are in the same range of its competitors with Source charging 60p/kwh and Ubitricity 53 p/kwh.
An Ealing Council spokesperson said, “We are rapidly expanding the number of electric vehicle charging points across the borough to help people make the switch from more polluting cars. We have already installed 685 charge points across the borough and are on track to meet our commitment to deliver 2,000 by 2026.
“We have also installed four rapid charge points across the borough, which can charge two cars at the same time. With a 50KW rapid charger, residents can conveniently add 100 miles of range in 35 minutes while popping to the shops or grabbing a coffee.
“As part of our expansion plan, we are working with our partner, Believ, to install charge points in 15 more locations. It is important that the views of our residents are considered, alongside the growing demand for chargers, and we are consulting on charge points in 15 more residential roads.”
Details of all electric vehicle charge point locations can be found on the Zapmap website.
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