Electric Vehicle Charge Points in London

London Councils has been working with London boroughs and other partners to support a transition to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) through the delivery of a public network of electric vehicle (EV) charge points. This will contribute to achieving net zero emission targets supported by the majority of London boroughs and the Major of London, improve air quality and reduce running costs for business and private vehicles. The provision of a reliable network of public charge points is also crucial in preparing London for the phase out of petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030.

As a result of the partnership working to support charge point delivery across London, we are leading the way in the electric revolution, with more than 8,600 public charging points installed across the Capital, a third of the UK’s total (December 2021), and an 85 per cent increase since 2019.

A range of different charge points have been installed in London, operated by different suppliers. All charge points can be found on the online interactive charging map provided by Zap Map.  

Types of charge points

The following three types of charge point make up the public EV charging network in London:

Slow charge points

Slow charge points are defined as those that provide power up to 7kW. They are best used for long, often overnight charging and usually take 6 or more hours to deliver a full charge.

Most electric car drivers charge their vehicle at home using a slow charger. Grants are available for the delivery of electric vehicle charging infrastructure at home and workplaces.

 For the 60% of London residents who do not have access to off-street parking, this isn’t always possible. To overcome this, London boroughs have delivered thousands of slow EV charge points on-street, making it possible for those without off-street parking to charge their vehicle near their home. These charge points are often installed in or on lamp post columns and have been majority funded through the Go Ultra Low Cities Scheme (GULCS) or the on-street residential charge point scheme funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles.

London residents who do not have off-street parking can suggest a location for the delivery of an on-street electric vehicle charge point near to where you live through their borough. 

Fast charge points

Fast charge points are those that provide power from 7kW to 22kW. They can usually provide a full charge in 3-5hours, although a 22kW unit could complete a charge much quicker. These types of charge points are often found at key destination locations including public car parks, town centres leisure centres and workplaces.

Rapid charge points

Rapid charge points can charge an electric vehicle battery in 20-30 minutes, making them the quickest means of charging in the UK. They are very convenient for those needing to charge their vehicle when on the move and are often found close to major roads. They have been delivered both as single units in on-street locations and as hubs in off-street locations in London.

In partnership with the London boroughs, TfL has delivered a network of 300 rapid charge points across London. This includes some taxi-dedicated charge points to support the electrification of London’s taxi fleet.