Electric car charging points set up as Source London launched

According to the mayor's office, there are currently more than 2,000 electric vehicles on London's roads, with a city-wide charge-point network of 150 outlets set up to serve their owners.

Users just need to park their vehicles in designated bays on streets and in car parks, swiping their membership cards to activate the power, then leave them to charge at the branded points.

A further 1,150 charge points will be rolled out under the Source scheme by 2013, giving London more of the outlets than petrol stations.

Electric vehicles in the UK are already exempt from the central London Congestion Charge and pay no road tax, as well as being eligible for subsidies as part of a government-led effort to boost the public's interest in green motoring.

Anyone who buys a Nissan Leaf - the brand's all-electric hatchback - by the end of this year will get free membership to the Source scheme for 12 months.

Heathrow and Gatwick airports, retailers Asda, IKEA and Sainsbury’s, Capital Shopping Centre and the Underground are also working with Source London.

'I want to rapidly accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles and make London the epicentre of electric driving in Europe,' said Boris Johnson.

'Increasing numbers of motorists are opting for cleaner, greener electric transport, delivering a host of benefits to the driver including a 100 per cent Congestion Charge discount.

'This is set to deliver considerable environmental benefits to our city.'



Continue reading ...