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TfL opens Woolwich charge hub ahead of October ULEZ expansion
Mark Bursa Transport for London has opened a new EV rapid charging hub at Glass Yard in Woolwich, in advance of its expansion of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) in October. The hub has eight fast charging points, which allow drivers to recharge their vehicles in up in 20-30 minutes. The south London facility, a £2 million investment in collaboration with charge point operator ESB Energy and installation partner Siemens Mobility, is part of TfL’s strategy to have a rapid charging hub in every
one of the capital’s five sub-regions. The first one is at east London at Stratford International, and a site at Baynard House in the City of London, the central location, is currently being constructed. More will follow in the north and west. On October 25, the ULEZ will expand up to, but not including, the North and South Circular roads. The Glass Yard hub is located on the edge of the boundary. The expanded ULEZ is 18 times the size of the current zone and TfL hopes the expansion will bring about a 30% cut in NOx levels across London. Last year, TfL installed 300 rap-
id charging points across the capital, aimed at taxis, private hire and van drivers, while it has installed more than 3,000 residential charging points through the Go Ultra Low Cities scheme. There are now more than 7,000 charging points within the M25, an increase of more than 2,000 over the past year. The Mayor of London’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Delivery Plan estimates that by 2025, London may need up to 4,000 rapid charging points and up to 48,000 residential chargers as more and more people and businesses move to electric vehicles. Alex Williams, TfL’s director of city
planning, said: “It’s essential that we increase the supply of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. Charging hubs that can be used in the same way as a traditional petrol station but without pumping toxic fumes are important in helping people to feel comfortable taking the plunge with an electric vehicle.” London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “Petrol and diesel vehicles are major contributors to air pollution in London so it is essential that we make it as easy as possible for people to swap their cars, vans and motorcycles to greener, electric versions.”
Ride-hail rival Yandex buys out Uber stake in Russian joint ventures Uber has sold its stake in a number of Russian businesses to rival Yandex in a deal worth around $1 billion. In the deal, Russian internet and ride-hailing giant Yandex has acquired Uber’s 18.2% stake in the Self-Driving Group (SDG) and Uber’s 33.5% stake in Yandex’s food delivery service, last-mile logistics service, and 15-minute convenience store delivery service. Yandex SDG is an autonomous technology spinout from MLUBV, a
AUGUST 2021
ride-hailing and food delivery joint venture established with Uber in 2018 by integrating Yandex’s ridehailing operations and Uber’s Rus-
sian operations. Yandex said in a statement that autonomous driving technology is “highly synergistic with the Yandex
ecosystem, which includes the ride hailing, e-commerce and food technology businesses”. A Yandex spokeswoman said: “This acquisition gives Yandex even more strategic management and flexibility when it comes to autonomous driving technology.” As part of the deal, Yandex will obtain an extension of its current license to use the Uber brand in Russia and certain other countries until August 2030. —Mark Bursa
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