The London Fire Brigade has installed 156 electric vehicle (EV) chargers across 76 of its sites to help keep its increasing electric vehicle fleet charged.
The charging points were installed by EV charging equipment company, Chargemaster. The fire brigade chose the company’s twin socket fast charging units that are capable of supplying charge at a rate of up to 22kW.
Almost 20 of the new charging points will be opened up to the public to help bolster the capital’s EV charging infrastructure at Croydon, East Ham, Edmonton, Finchley, Hainault, Harold Hill, Hornsey, Ilford and New Malden fire stations.
Funding supplied by the government accounted for 75% of the cost of installing the charging points, with the remaining quarter being met by Chargemaster. Speaking about the co-funding deal between Chargemaster and the Department for Transport, Transport Minister Andrew Jones, commented: “I want cleaner, greener cars across the capital and this money will make a real difference. The Department for Transport’s funding for the 156 new charge points will make it easier for people to use these increasingly popular low emission vehicles. It is an example of Britain leading the way in developing sustainable transport options that are accessible to everyone.”
London Fire Commissioner, Ron Dobson explained why the brigade has adopted EVs for its fleet, he said: “Electric cars offer big environmental benefits and play an important part in keeping London clean. The new charging network not only makes it easy and convenient to charge up a car’s battery making electric cars easier to use, but also reaffirms London Fire Brigade’s commitment to lead on sustainability in the fire service and reducing our impact on the environment.”
London Fire Brigade currently has five electric cars in its lease car scheme but wants to double that amount before the end of the year thanks to additional funding awarded from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles.
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