Some 48 new electric vehicle (EV) charge points are due to be installed in Waltham Forest, which will be owned and operated by Believ and installed by its delivery partner, Virgin Media O2.
The news, which comes as Waltham Forest aims to continue to reduce CO₂ emissions through its sustainable transport strategy. Following installations in 2021 and 2022, the council said there were now 207 Believ sockets in the local authority area.
The council is aiming to have a charge point in every controlled parking zone in the borough by 2025. It is also preparing for increased use of eCar-Clubs as it seeks to invest in initiatives that provide further avenues for affordable and sustainable car usage, it said.
Cllr Clyde Loakes, Waltham Forest Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate and Air Quality, said limiting carbon emissions at a local level would make a global impact in relation to tackling climate change.
He said: “With the 2030 deadline around the corner and with EVs becoming more accessible, our focus must be on promoting and facilitating their use, now and in the future.”
“Believ’s fully funded model is a huge advantage to us as a local authority. It means we can bypass government funding and make charge points available for resident use quicker – and at no cost to us or the taxpayer. Visibility of a public charge point network is essential to help encourage EV adoption.”
Believ CEO, Perran Moon, said: “Across the UK generally, the progress towards the 2030 target of 300,000 charge points is not fast enough, so it is very encouraging to see a local authority making such good headway in their EV strategy.”
Image courtesy of Waltham Forest LBC
