Evening Standard Comment: We need to accelerate electric vehicle charging infrastructure in London

The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) lies at the heart of the Government’s plan to reduce carbon emissions from transport. We have the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, funding to boost the EV supply chain and now a mandate for automakers to produce more EVs.

Yet, drivers— particularly the many in London without a private driveway — will reasonably ask, what about charging?

TfL has revealed that the capital may need up to 60,000 EV charging points by 2030, 4,000 of which will need to be rapid. At present, there are 7,000 in total within the M25, 300 of which are rapid.

People want to make the right decision for their families and the environment, but the Government must make it easier. London requires a consolidated plan, with local authorities, City Hall, central government and business working together to deliver the infrastructure our city needs to go green, rapidly.

How long would you wait for a bus — 20 minutes? How about an allotment? One Camden resident has waited

18 years for a plot and waiting times across the capital are now “out of control”, as we report today. We need to get more imaginative in where we find space for new allotments.

Not least because, given all our supply chain issues, we may have to once again start digging for victory.