City residents in the Barbican who use an electric vehicle (EV) now have access to 30 permanent charging points across the iconic Grade II-listed estate.

The charging points will make it more accessible for residents with electric powered vehicles to charge them and offer a range of options, including both tethered and socketed units, with power outputs ranging from 3kW to 22Kw.

The charging points, supplied and commissioned by Chargemaster, were installed by SRG Electrical and are spread across five car parks* in the Barbican estate.

The new charging points are part of the City Corporation’s ambitious plans for a Low Emission Neighbourhood (LEN), jointly funded by the Mayor of London and the City Corporation. Plans for the LEN also include proposals for green taxi ranks and planting and greening projects designed to improve air quality around the Barbican and Golden Lane Estate areas.

Residents who own an electric vehicle will also be taking part in a six-month trial carried out by environment consultants WSP. If successful, it could lead to a wider rollout of EV charging infrastructure across the City of London.

Jeremy Simons, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Environment Committee, said:

“At the beginning of the LEN project, it was one of our ambitions to make more charging points accessible to residents in the City. This has now been achieved.

“We are committed to improving the Square Mile’s air quality and this pilot will help us future-proof the City by encouraging the use of pollution-free electric vehicles.”

Shirley Rodrigues, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, said:

“The roll-out of standard charging points across the Barbican is a great step forward in encouraging more residents to shift to zero-emission vehicles, which London desperately needs to clean up our toxic air.

“Communities have a huge role to play in developing innovative new ways to tackle air pollution, which is why the Mayor has invested £5 million in creating five Low Emission Neighbourhoods across the capital, benefitting eight boroughs, where bold action will offer drivers incentives to switch to cleaner vehicles and help transform local areas.

“He has also brought forward the central London Ultra-Low Emission Zone and introduced the T-Charge, and continues to urge the Government to follow his lead and provide greater funding to tackle this public health crisis.”

Matt Croucher, Associate Director of WSP, said:

“We commend the considered approach taken by the City Corporation, which is not only looking at fulfilling current demand, but is also thinking about the medium to longer term.

“Based on all these findings, we’ll be making recommendations for how charging infrastructure should be rolled out more widely, accompanied by some best practice guidance.”

The LEN project is part of the City Corporation’s fightback against air pollution. It works with businesses through its CityAir Programme whilst leading a London-wide crackdown on drivers who leave their engines idling. This year, the City Corporation launched a clean air cargo bike delivery scheme which helps the Square Mile’s businesses tackle toxic air pollution by shifting deliveries from diesel and petrol vans to cargo bicycles.

The City Corporation’s CityAir app provides over 27,000 Londoners with low pollution travel routes across the capital, with advice and alerts when air pollution is high.

And in 2016 it agreed a deal with Addison Lee - London’s biggest private hire taxi firm - to automatically switch hybrid taxis to ‘electric mode’ in key areas of the Square Mile. The City Corporation has banned the purchase of diesel vehicles from its own fleet of 300 vehicles, where there is a clean market alternative.

It has also introduced a City-wide 20mph zone, and its new procurement rules have brought in tight restrictions on harmful emissions from bulldozers and generators.

ENDS

Media enquires

Carl Locsin, Media Officer, City of London Corporation

T 020 7332 3654 / M 07388 862 229

E carl.locsin@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Notes to editors

*Car parks

Breton, Bunyan, Cromwell, Thomas More and Willoughby car parks

About the City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

About Chargemaster

Chargemaster Plc is the UK’s leading provider of electric vehicle charging infrastructure and operates POLAR, the largest electric vehicle charging network in the UK, with more than 6,500 public charge points. Benefitting from over 25 years of experience working within the telematics and vehicle-orientated industry, Chargemaster provides a comprehensive, flexible and practical range of electric vehicle charging solutions. Its charging stations are specially developed to accommodate new technological advances and the growing demands of the electric vehicle industry. Chargemaster works in partnership with leading energy providers, vehicle manufacturers, government agencies, management consultancies and property development and blue-chip companies. Chargemaster is the largest supplier of public, workplace and home charging units in the UK and has supplied over 50,000 charging points across Europe.

About WSP

As one of the world's leading professional services firms, WSP provides technical expertise and strategic advice to clients in the Transportation & Infrastructure, Property & Buildings, Environment, Industry, Resources (including Mining and Oil & Gas) and Power & Energy sectors. We also offer highly specialized services in project delivery and strategic consulting. Our experts include engineers, advisors, technicians, scientists, architects, planners, surveyors and environmental specialists, as well as other design, program and construction management professionals. With approximately 42,000 talented people in 550 offices across 40 countries, we are uniquely positioned to deliver successful and sustainable projects, wherever our clients need us. www.wsp.com