City of London installs first rapid EV charge for taxis

The first rapid electric charging point has been installed in the City of London.

The Noble Street rapid electric charging point will be used by the new zero-emission capable (ZEC) taxis, and there are now 1,400 licensed ZEC taxis operating on capital’s roads since they were introduced in January 2018.

10 more rapid charge points will be installed by the end of the year at Baynard House car park at Queen Victoria Street, and are expected to be available to both ZEC taxis and small freight vehicles. The new rapid charge points, part-funded by TfL, can top up a car’s battery within 20-30 minutes.

In related news, the City of London Corporation’s Markets Committee this week (Wednesday 8 May) agreed to install a rapid electric vehicle charge point in the Billingsgate Market public car park, which would allow two vehicles to be charged simultaneously.

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Alastair Moss, Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, said: ‘I am proud to unveil our very first on-street rapid electric charging point for taxis. As licensed ZEC taxis are being seen in increasing numbers across London, I look forward to increasing the total number of charging points in the Square Mile to meet demand.

‘I am particularly excited by our plans for one of London’s first charging ‘hubs’ at Baynard House, which should limit idling as ZEC drivers spend less time searching for vacant charge points on our streets.

‘We are dedicated to supporting the continued success of the taxi and freight trade, as well as tackling vehicle-related pollution.’

In related EV charge point news, it was announced last week that 1076 new residential EV charging points have been installed across London as part of the Go Ultra Low City Scheme (GULCS), a joint initiative between Transport for London (TfL), the Greater London Authority (GLA) and London Councils.