The first of Hammersmith & Fulham’s new electric vehicle charging points has gone live as the council seeks to transform the borough and drive down harmful emissions.

Three of the first phase of new, on-street charging points are now available for residents to use in Standish Road, Hammersmith, Gayford Road, Shepherds Bush and Farm Lane, Fulham. The remaining first phase bays will be coming online shortly.

Each charging location has two bays where plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles can park while recharging their batteries.

“We are committed to improving air quality and driving-down harmful emissions in H&F by leading the charge in availability of charging bays for low and zero emission vehicles,” said Cllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.

“As more residents take up electric vehicle use, these first few bays going live are just the beginning. We will continue to look for areas where residents tell us there is need and will investigate opportunities to expand our network wherever we can.

“More residents using electric cars will help to reduce CO2, NOx and particulate matter emissions that have detrimental effects on health and the environment.

“We are determined to become the greenest, most environmentally-friendly council in the country.”

The remaining four sites are due to go live on Wednesday 6 April and will be marked with an official launch by Source London, who own and operate the network on behalf of H&F.

A further twelve charging locations are being prepared for August, creating a total of 40 new on-street parking bays, in addition to the 40 charging bays in the car park of the Westfield shopping centre.

This total of 80 parking bays means by 2017 residents will have access to, on average, a charging point for every square kilometre of the borough.

Source: LBHF.gov.uk