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Electric vehicle charging provision increased |
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18 Sep 2012, 10:34 PM
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Twenty electric vehicle charging bays have been installed by Sainsbury’s at their Beckton branch in East London – the greatest number of charging points in any location in the UK.
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The retailer is not the only company to embrace the needs of electric and hybrid vehicle owners, and many others are now future-proofing parking provision as electric and hybrid cars become mainstream motoring choices in Britain. The commercial case for EV charging infrastructure is strong, say electric vehicle charging company POD Point.
The alternatively fuelled vehicle sector is now the fastest growing sector of the new car market in Britain. New registrations for electric vehicles showed a year-on-year growth of over 20% to August 2012. Over three quarters of electric and hybrid vehicle drivers use public charging posts.
The pressure to meet carbon emissions targets has brought in new considerations for parking provision in proposed new developments, and the London Plan states that 10% of all parking spaces in retail developments should be equipped for electric vehicles, with an additional 10% passive provision – meaning the space needs to be wired up for future charge point installation.
The London plan covers a broad range of parking situations, including supermarket car parks and employee car parks, where a minimum of 20% of spaces must be must be for electric vehicles, with an additional 10% passive provision.
Flora Heathcote, Commercial Director of POD Point said: “The electric car has stepped up a gear and EV motoring is rapidly becoming a mainstream proposition. While many EV drivers currently charge at home, workplace charge points are particularly important in cities such as London where employees are less likely to have a private driveway at home where they can charge at night. If all employers provided this facility then EV ownership would suddenly become a very practical – and money-saving - option for London commuters.”
She added: “Sainsbury’s and several other high street retailers are already building provisions into their plans, but the reality is that all new and renovated parking lots in London need to be thinking along similar lines if they are to comply with the London Plan.”
The charge points are part of the Source London network, which has over 700 charge points throughout the capital. For information on London’s electric vehicle infrastructure visit: www.sourcelondon.net.
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