London is moving toward a greener, sustainable future, and what’s clear is that electric vehicles (or EVs) are becoming a major part in this outlook of reduced emissions and better air quality. England’s capital is doing a lot for EVs, but how is the city adapting to this greener change and what will be done to make it more eco-friendly?
Why electric cars are important
It’s not unknown to any commuter that London has long battled air pollution because of heavy traffic, especially in peak times. To combat this, London has created aspiring goals for the environment such as the ULEZ expansion to reduce nitrogen dioxide in central London by 54%. Chiefly amongst those bigger goals is the target of becoming a “zero emissions” city in five years.
Electric cars produce no tailpipe pollution and by decreasing the number of cars using petrol or diesel, London hopes to eliminate nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, which can cause health issues, especially for the lungs. London has set a goal of reducing emissions by 60% by 2025 and anyone choosing to drive an EV will be a big part of cleaning the air and promoting a greener city.
The need for charging stations
While washing your car is easy enough in London, any EV driver can tell you that the biggest challenge for owning such a car is the availability of charging stations across the city. But fear not, as London has made great efforts in the expansion of charging stations in major spots. London currently has the most EV charging points in the UK, with approximately 23,000 available for EV drivers.
Still, more can be done, as it’s a local council goal to have charging points that are faster for motorists to drive electric in busy areas. What’s more, brands such as smart are already providing details on the costs of using an EV and how the charging process works.
Support from the government
Apart from helping the environment, EV owners also receive many benefits due to government incentives in London. The UK government has set 2030 as a target to stop the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars, which further supports the idea of EVs being the new norm in cities.
Londoners can benefit from grants that will decrease the initial cost of an EV, tax exemptions, and lower road tax costs. EV drivers can also be excused from any congestion charges in central areas, which is a big saving for anyone who often travels to central London for personal or business reasons.
More than anything, an EV is simply cost-effective, as electricity is far cheaper than petrol or diesel, and if you charge at home during off-peak hours, you’ll further reduce costs. Electrical vehicles have an added bonus in reducing noise pollution, which is a huge benefit for anyone living in busy urban areas in London.
What’s next for EVs in London?
EV technology is improving all the time, as electric cars are getting better at driving longer ranges and charging faster. There has also been an increase in taxi companies and app services such as Uber to include more electric vehicles in their respective fleets, making London more sustainable for those even without their own cars.
There’s more to be done to make EVs affordable and enticing for those used to petrol or hybrid cars, as well as adding charging stations that are quicker and easily accessible around the city. It’s true that London is a place that is forever changing and adapting over the years, so the inclusion of more EVs to make this famous metropolis more liveable can only be a good thing for the future.
