Drivers to save hundreds of pounds as UK-first electric vehicle charging scheme comes to Hackney
Hackney will be among the first boroughs in the UK to take part in a pioneering Electric Vehicles (EV) trial that could save drivers hundreds of pounds per year.
The project will see 30 public on-street smart chargers installed in Hackney, cutting costs by as much as 50% 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.
The trial will run in Hackney from September 2021 until May 2022, after which the 30 chargers will be passed to the Council, providing much needed on-street EV charging infrastructure.
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.
Electric vehicle ownership is increasing, with Hackney registrations up 91% in 2020 compared to 2019. However, Hackney households without off-street parking have to rely on the public charging network to charge EVs.
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.
To apply to take part in the scheme, sign up at www.agilestreets.com. A selection process will then take place to ensure applicants live and/or work in Hackney.
The Agile Streets project is delivered by a consortium made up of Samsung Research, Connected Kerb, Octopus Energy For Business, SMETS Design Limited, Energy Saving Trust and the Power Networks Distribution Centre. It is funded by £1.5m from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS).