Zest to operate charging bays on newly unlocked public land at 24 locations around London

As part of his pledge to unlock unused pockets of land owned by the likes of Transport for London, the London Fire Brigade, the London Ambulance Service and the Metropolitan Police, the Mayor of London has released 24 sites around the capital, on which EV charging specialists Zest will provide and operate 39 rapid or ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging bays.

The 24 locations are spread across the city in Bromley, Greenwich, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth.

The bays, which are expected to be operational by Autumn of next year, are being located on or close to key routes typically used by high mileage, commercial traffic such as taxis and freight.

London currently has around 13,000 charge points (almost a third of the UK total) which suggests the city is on its way to meeting the mayor’s target of 40,000-60,000 by 2030.

Of the current figure, 880 of the charging points are rapid or ultra-rapid, delivering a full charge within 30 minutes. As part of its Electric Vehicle Infrastructure strategy, TfL believe that the city will need at least 1,600 rapid charge points by 2025 and up to 3,900 by 2030.  To help achieve these numbers, TfL is looking at how to bring more of its own land into use for EV charging bays and to this end is working with other members of the GLA and borough councils.

Zest will provide and operate the charge points for 15 years, with no financial costs or operational overheads for TfL. Under the terms of the contract, TfL will receive a share of charging revenues and ground rent for the use of its land. Zest is backed by the government-sponsored Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund (CIIF), the £420m public-private fund whose mission is to be the catalyst for large-scale EV infrastructure projects like this.

David Rowe, TfL’s Director of Investment Delivery Planning, said: ‘These 39 bays are the start of our new programme to boost the number of rapid charging points in the capital by making public land available to private sector providers to support those making the switch to zero emission vehicles. More rapid charging points are key to encouraging people and businesses to make the transition to electric vehicles, giving drivers confidence that they have a place to power up in a short period of time. We’re glad to be working with Zest to expand the number of EV charging points across the capital, adding to the city’s extensive network.’