Author: Caroline Pook

Work is now underway on a major project to install new electric vehicle charging sockets in around 250 street lights across the borough.

Wandsworth’s goal of becoming the best place in London to own an electric vehicle has been boosted by the signing of a contract with electronics giant Siemens to install this charging infrastructure as part of a £400,000 deal.

This will give EV owners two options in terms of connection. They can either use a ubitricity cable which also brings the customer’s own electricity tariff, or they can use a standard cable, scan the QR code at the charge point with their mobile phone or tablet and charge via DirectAccess, the pay-as-you-go-option.

This latest investment in is helping the council meet its target of delivering nearly 900 on-street charging points in total.

TfL introduces the Ulez to congestion charge zone on 8 April this year meaning that liable vehicles will pay £12.50 (in addition to the congestion charge) to enter the zone.

Less has been said about the extension of the ULEZ in October 2021 to all areas within the North and South Circular roads. The consequence for Wandsworth residents (and their tradesmen) with a diesel vehicle registered before 2016, or a petrol vehicle registered before 2006, will be significant. Not only will dinner out with friends in Clapham cost them £12.50 but, more seriously for the environment, will be that a trip to the tip (or B&Q if it is still open) could be expensive. The impact will be widespread as non compliant cars are very common: more fly tipping, more refuse for the council to have to carry from households and more car mileage as the nearest tip will be Morden.