Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has launched a taskforce to boost the infrastructure needed to support electric vehicles in the capital.
He says encouraging more Londoners to make the switch from diesel to electric cars is vital to tackling the city’s air pollution.
Electric buses and taxis have already been introduced and more than 100 rapid charging points installed which can charge a vehicle in 30 minutes.
Mayor Khan says a major expansion in charging infrastructure must be delivered in partnership with the private sector.
The new taskforce includes UK Power Networks, the British Retail Consortium and the RAC Foundation.
Mayor Khan said: 'We’ve received huge support for this new taskforce, showing it is not just an environment or transport issue but one that is vital to the future of our city, and organisations across all sectors are stepping up and accepting they have a part to play.’
Responding to the Mayor’s announcement, Ben Rogers, director at Centre for London said: ‘This Taskforce must recognise that electric vehicles are no panacea for tackling air pollution, or even more so, congestion.
‘Once established, the Taskforce should put pressure on the government to invest in R&D so that we can deepen understanding of the polluting aspects of electric vehicles and prepare our cities for the future.
‘But let's not lose sight of the fact that we need to get Londoners out of their cars, not into less polluting vehicles, and encourage walking, cycling and public transport.’
