Transport for London seeks partners for electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Transport for London has issued a Prior Information Notice to identify suppliers and partners for future charging infrastructure in London.

This includes plans to deliver a rapid charge network for taxis, private hire vehicles and other commercial fleets to support the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson’s plans for an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).

The Mayor confirmed earlier this year that the world’s first ULEZ will be introduced in central London from September 2020.  This is part of the Mayor’s work to significantly improve air quality and in turn the health of Londoners.  The ULEZ will also provide a further incentive for the mass take-up of ultra low emission vehicles, stimulating the growth of this market in the UK and supporting manufacturers.

TfL recognises that the continued growth of this market is dependent on appropriate infrastructure being available.  It is now looking to potential partners and suppliers to explore the full range of technology available and how it could be deployed across the Capital.

Leon Daniels, TfL’s managing director for surface transport, said: “To complement the introduction of the world’s first ULEZ and boost the number of zero emission capable vehicles on London’s roads, it’s important that the right charging infrastructure is in place.  In particular over the next few years there will be more zero emission capable vehicles coming to market which are suitable for use as taxis or commercial fleet vehicles.  The demands of these types of vehicle are significantly different to privately owned electric cars, which is why we are exploring how their charging needs can be met.  The publication of a Prior Information Notice is the first step in that process.”

Having already secured 1,400 publicly accessible charging points in the Capital, TfL is now refreshing London’s ambitions for ultra low emission vehicles with a delivery plan to be published this summer.  It addresses how new charging infrastructure – including rapid charging – will be deployed to meet the growing demands, in particular for charging zero emission capable taxis, private hire vehicles and other commercial fleets. 

The Mayor has proposed that from 1 January 2018 all newly registered taxis and private hire vehicles must meet a zero emission capable standard.  Rapid charge points supply 80 per cent of a full charge in less than 30 minutes so are suitable for supporting the electrification of high mileage urban commercial fleets.  Plans to change the licensing requirement for these vehicles, with the final package of measures currently being discussed with the trade, will present specific charging requirements which cannot currently be met by the existing public network of electric vehicle charge points.  A consultation on proposed changes to taxi and private hire regulations to complement the ULEZ will be launched later this summer.