Redbridge Council has announced that 174 electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers will be installed around the borough to boost the current network.
Funded through Uber and Believ, the installation of the first set of chargers is expected to start early next year.
Transport was identified as one of the largest sources of carbon emissions in Redbridge, making it one of the council’s key areas for action in tackling climate change and creating a cleaner and greener Redbridge.
The 174 EV fast chargers will be installed at 87 locations around the borough in 2024. By switching to an electric vehicle, which is hoped to help lower the area’s carbon footprint and the environment, while also improving air quality.
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The first phase of the project kicked off with the announcement of Believ being awarded the contract to install, operate and maintain the fast chargers.
Guy Bartlett, CEO of Believ, said: “We are thrilled to support Redbridge Council in what is a very significant project that will drastically improve access to EV charging in the borough, as well as supporting the council’s clean air targets.
“The partnership with Uber is an excellent example of private industry working together with councils to accelerate the roll out of EV charging in the UK.”
The increased number of EV chargepoints in Redbridge also gives local people without the ability to charge improved access to EV infrastructure, which the council hopes will incentivise them to make the switch to electric.
Jas Athwal, leader of Redbridge Council, added: “Our goal is to keep expanding Redbridge’s on-street electric vehicle charging network to make it easier for local people to switch to an electric vehicle, helping to cut air pollution and tackle climate change in the process.
“This also means helping local taxi and private hire drivers in Redbridge to switch to electric vehicles too. Working in partnership with Uber and Believ to install additional on-street chargepoints, we’re making switching to an electric vehicle easier, with more places to charge across our borough.”
Uber partnered with Redbridge and two other boroughs, with the goal of helping fund the introduction of additional fast chargers across the capital. By helping to increase London’s overall EV charging network, Uber aims to bring more on-street charging access both to its drivers and other EV users in London.
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