Hackney to trial new electric vehicle trial

Hackney will be among the first boroughs in the UK to take part in a pioneering electric vehicle trial that could save drivers hundreds of pounds per year.

The project, which will run in Hackney from September 2021 until May 2022, will see 30 public on-street smart chargers installed in the borough, cutting costs by as much as 50 per cent for people who don’t have driveways.

Smart metering allows EVs to schedule charging at times when energy prices are cheapest, such as overnight when demand is low or on sunny days when solar energy is abundant, with drivers downloading an app to charge as they go.

Following the trial, 30 chargers will be passed to the Hackney Council, providing much needed on-street EV charging infrastructure.

Electric vehicle ownership is increasing, with Hackney registrations up 91 per cent in 2020 compared to 2019. In Hackney, there are 124 charging points, with funding and plans in place to bring its total to 296 by the end of 2021. The council hopes to have 3,000 charge points in Hackney by 2030 through partnerships with outside contractors.

Mete Coban MBE, cabinet member for Energy, Waste, Transport and Public Realm, said: “Providing equal access to affordable electric vehicle charging across Hackney is a key part of our plan to rebuild a greener Hackney. Our vision is for the borough to be: greener, with more trees and wildlife; healthier, with more of us walking, cycling and taking public transport; and, cleaner, with better air quality.

“This scheme offers a fantastic opportunity for businesses and residents to have access to charging infrastructure that could save them hundreds of pounds every year. This is crucial as we move closer to the 2030 ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars.”