Brent London Borough Council has transformed 242 streetlamp columns into EV charging points, as it works to encourage residents to switch to zero-emission vehicles.
The council declared a climate emergency in 2019, and since then has been working towards reducing carbon emissions and encouraging the use of alternative methods of travel.
Road transport is the third biggest contributor to carbon emissions in Brent, representing 22% of the total so making the switch to EVs will be a crucial part of decarbonisation across the borough, the council said.
The technology and installation has been brought to Brent by on-street charging technology firm Ubitricity, which is part of the Shell group, and Siemens. The new Ubitricity ‘smart socket’ technology system embeds the charging point into streetlights.
Councillor Krupa Sheth, cabinet member for environment at Brent Council, said: “Promoting the use of zero emission vehicles (electrical or hydrogen) across the borough is important. The move to install more charging points is part of our wider effort to bring more EV charging availability to Brent drivers without private parking.
“Although this is an important step towards decarbonisation, it is not the only solution. Ultimately, we are looking to reduce car usage and walk, cycle and use public transport more, to further improve air quality and work towards achieving zero carbon emissions in Brent by 2030.”
The council added it is committed to making the borough cleaner and greener, and to introduce sustainable measures which also improve health and wellbeing of residents, whilst also saving them money.
The lamp column charging points have been funded by the Go Ultra Low City Scheme, Office for Zero Emission Vehicles and Brent Council match funding.
