CLIMATE EMERGENCY
Fully
charged
for a greener
future
There are more than
200 on-street electric
vehicle charging points
(EVCP) currently powering
up across the borough,
reports Dan Stephens.
They are giving
residents easier access
to a cost-effective and
environmentally-friendly
way of getting around.
I
n fact, with far lower running costs
than traditional cars, exemption from
the congestion charge and ultra-low
emission zone schemes and no road
tax fees, there has never been a better
time to make the switch to electric cars.
For Ealing Council, lowering the
environmental footprint within the
borough and improving air quality is
an ongoing priority.
Which is why council leader
Julian Bell recently teamed up with
12
around ealing February/March 2020
Councillor Bell tested an electric car and a charging point
Source London, which provides many
of the borough’s EVCPs, to test-drive
a Nissan LEAF electric car to get a
first‑hand look.
‘IT IS GREAT TO GO ELECTRIC’
After his test drive, Councillor Bell said:
“It is great to go electric, it’s a smooth
and pleasant ride and there are many
environmental benefits.
“Going electric has a positive effect
on reducing air pollution. We want to
see lots more people using electric
vehicles and transitioning from older,
more polluting cars. And we hope that,
by increasing the number of charging
points around the borough, it will help
to make this option more attractive
for residents.
“It is just one way to cut our carbon
footprint. And, if every one of us
decides to make as many as possible
of our shorter journeys around the
borough by foot or bike it could,
cumulatively, have a colossal impact.”
CHARGING YOUR CAR
You can book an EVCP in advance
online and park at the same time as
charging. It takes between three and
six hours depending on the type of car
and EVCP you are using and, when you
are finished, you simply unplug and
drive off to your next destination.