Work has begun on the installation of Park and Charge electric vehicle charging points within Epsom & Ewell Borough Council car parks.
Hook Road car park is the first council car park to benefit from the scheme, with six new charging points currently being installed. These will allow people to pay for both charging and parking their electric vehicles at the same time.
Councillor Neil Dallen, Chair of the Environment and Safe Communities Committee said “The best travel options for the environment are walking, cycling or using public transport. The use of electric vehicles can be a positive contribution to air quality, as they emit fewer greenhouse gases and air pollutants than petrol or diesel cars.
“This new facility can help support drivers make the switch to electric vehicles. It can also encourage electric car drivers to visit the borough, supporting our local businesses, shops and amenities.”
The installation work is being undertaken in partnership Joju Solar, a leading UK company for electric car charging point installation.
Councillor Neil Dallen added “This initiative is being undertaken with a partner to ensure that the associated costs do not impact on council taxpayers who may want or need to use these new facilities”.
Following completion of the Hook Road installation, work will then continue Ashley Road car park and with other council car parks following later this spring. A total of 18 electric chargers will be installed with this number reviewed as use demands.
The installation work may involve some car park bays being fenced off temporarily and some short-term limited disruption to each car park. The council aims to keep disruption to a minimum and reduce any inconvenience to car park users.
The initiative forms part of the council’s aspirations to provide more sustainable transport options in the borough under the theme ‘smart and connected’.
More than 150 models of plug-in cars and vans are now on sale in the UK. Including plug-in hybrids and hybrids, electrified vehicles accounted for more than a quarter of new cars in 2021 (source: The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders).
Image; work underway in Hook Road car park
