London council offers city's first free charger for commercial electric vehicles

Even though the city of London cut back its support for plug-in vehicles, that doesn't mean everyone in the area wants to curtail incentives to go electric. Today, the Camden Council launched a number of UK and London firsts, including the first free electric charging point for commercial vehicles. Installed by Elektromotive, the three-phase charging station is based on the company's Elektrobay station, but has been designed for light commercial electric vehicles. If the station is not being used by someone else, any compatible electric vehicle can recharge there for free. Nice, huh?

Other firsts in Camden today include the opening of London's first compressed biomethane gas refuelling station and the first council vehicle fleet in England powered by renewable energy. The Camden Council also offers private residents a lot of benefits for driving electric vehicles, especially if the cars are powered by renewable energy. You can find the details here.

[Source: Elektromotive, Camden Council]

PRESS RELEASE

Camden's green fleet to clean up London

Camden has become the first council in the UK to launch a fleet of vehicles powered entirely by renewable energy.

Launching on Friday 3 December, the 15 vans operate on a specially made gas that, per tonne produces the equivalent power to 1,200 litres of diesel fuel.

The fleet is powered by Compressed Biomethane Gas, produced from organic waste and will be supported by a newly upgraded refuelling station at Camden Transport Service, in King's Cross.

Camden is also launching London's first, free electric charging point for commercial vehicles, which generates some of its energy from the refuelling station's solar panels.

With commercial vehicles as the biggest contributors to London's air pollution, Camden is making the station publicly open to commercial vehicles operators.

This is another London first and aims to encourage wider use of renewable fuels - helping to reduce CO2 emissions, improve fuel efficiency and save money.

Councillor Angela Mason, Cabinet Member for Sustainability, Camden Council, said: 'I am delighted to launch this innovative fleet. It is incredible to think that just one tonne of this special fuel can power a 44-tonne heavy goods vehicle for an entire week.

'With our new greener fleet and refuelling station opening up to the public, we will help to reduce air pollution and decrease the need for fossil fuels. This not only saves money for the council but will also greatly improve air quality, tackle climate change and enhance the borough's environment.'

Camden will use the fleet to improve environmental performance in its vehicle fleet for; street environment, housing repairs, emergency callouts and parking services.

For more information on the free, electric charging point and Camden's refuelling station, please visit the council's air quality pages at: www.camden.gov.uk