• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

MayorWatch

London News and Comment

  • NEWS

Greens accuse Mayor of “backtracking” over electric vehicle commitment

May 16, 2013 by Martin Hoscik

source_londonBoris Johnson has been accused of “backtracking” on a commitment to create Europe’s electric car capital after announcing plans to sell the electric vehicle charging network to the private sector.

The Mayor has already been criticised for drastically reducing his targets for the number of charging points.

He originally announced plans to install of 7,500 charging points by the end of 2013, but later cut that target to just 1,300.

On Thursday Transport for London said the revised lower target had now been met, but also announced the 1,300 charging points would be sold off to a private bidder.

TfL is inviting bids to take over operation of the Source London charging network from next summer after its sponsorship deal with Siemens ends.

John Mason, TfL Director for Source London, said: “Having ‘pump-primed’ the market, we are now seeking a private sector operator who can continue to develop the market, and work to ensure a long term future for a sustainable charging network that is compatible with other schemes across the country.”

The decision to sell off the network has been criticised by London Assembly Member Darren Johnson, who accused the Mayor of “backtracking on his grand plans to make London the electric car capital of Europe and quietly sidelining the project by hiving it off to the private sector.”

Mr Johnson, who represents the Green party on the Assembly, did however welcome news that TfL would trial two electric buses, the first time such a vehicle has been used to carry passengers in the capital.

  • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

Filed Under: News

RECENT UPDATES

Tube and rail users to benefit from Oyster weekly fares cap

Mayor and TfL call on ministers to help plug funding gap

Tube to get full mobile phone coverage from 2024

TfL says Direct Vision Standard is already making HGVs safer for London road users




POPULAR

City Hall to move to Docklands as Mayor seeks to raise £55m for frontline services

‘Concern’ over TfL’s ability to deliver major projects in wake of Crossrail cost overruns

City Hall halts London Overground ticket office closures but many will still see opening hours reduced

Transport for London confirms bus cuts will go ahead despite passenger opposition

Copyright © 2025 · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy