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Lambeth EV charge scheme targets high-rise car owners Mark Bursa A new project to tackle electric vehicle inequality and drive greater EV adoption among people living in council estates and high-rise flats, has been launched in the London Borough of Lambeth. The move is good news for private hire and ridehailing drivers who do not have access to off-road parking areas where they could install electric vehicle charge points. Lambeth Council and EV charging specialist Connected Kerb have teamed up to deploy 22 onstreet EV chargers across 11 council estates, providing easy access to EV charging for residents without off-street parking. The project will act as a blueprint to be adopted at scale by other boroughs, councils and cities across Britain to deliver a fair EV transition, including for the 40% of households nationally without off-street parking. The project is part of Lambeth council’s wider strategy to install more than 200 charge points by 2022, ensuring every household without off-street parking is within a five-minute walk of a charge point. EV ownership is skyrocketing, with UK registrations up 117% in 2021 compared to last year. But the transition to EVs has exposed disparities between different communities across the UK. Households which have access to a driveway make
without reliable charging, why would anyone go electric? We have designed our business model to overcome this and with Lambeth Council, we are delivering a fairer and equitable clean transport future – here and right across the UK.” Shirley Rodrigues, London deputy mayor for environment and energy, said: “Equal access to public charging is a key step towards a fair switch to clean transport and vital if we are to meet our ambition of being a zero carbon city by 2030.” Each of Connected Kerb’s chargers will provide a 7kW charge, perfect for overninght onstreet charging where residents are parked for a predictable amount of time each day. Every charge point will feature contactless payment via the Connected Kerb app with a consistent network up 80% of EV owners, with the remaining 20% owned and tariff across the sites, enabling fair and equal access for everyone. by those in houses or flats with no access to offConnected Kerb’s infrastructure has a longstreet parking. lasting design. The charging infrastructure is Chris Pateman-Jones, CEO of Connected Kerb, located below ground with passive chargers that said: “People often think electric vehicles are the can be easily ‘switched on’ by adding the above preserve of a fortunate few with detached houses and driveways, but this couldn’t be further from the ground charge point to match consumer demand. This project was funded in part through the UK truth. With running costs much lower than petrol Government’s On-Street Residential Charge Point and diesel cars, all communities, regardless of where they live, their social background, or whether Scheme, available to all local authorities in the UK. Through the scheme, 75% of the costs were financed they have a driveway or not, have lots to gain. “ He continued: “Without high EV adoption, charge by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles and the remaining costs were covered by the council. point operators won’t build public charging, and
Clive Sutton reveals £121k ultra-luxury black cab The bespoke coachbuilding division of car dealer Clive Sutton has developed a luxury version of the LEVC London taxi. The driver and passenger compartments of the LEVC taxi have been completely overhauled by the Sutton Bespoke team, giving options including electronicallyreclining leather-clad, heated rear seats with footrests, to a fibreoptic starlight roof and electronic selfclosing doors. The production version of the VIP black cab was unveiled at
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the Blenheim Palace Salon Privé concours event in Oxfordshire. The £121,480 show car featured twotone paintwork, built-in umbrella holders and a high-quality audio system. CEO Clive Sutton said: “While many of our clients seek power, performance and stand-out style,
another portion prefer discreet, unique, customisable luxury. Our Sutton VIP LEVC Taxi enables the most comfortable, spacious and private journey through the city with extravagant features usually reserved for superyachts and private jets.” The Sutton Bespoke team has
revealed multiple configurations for the taxi. Colour choices are almost limitless, enabling owners to stay discreet or to create something unique. Customers can choose from a four-, three-, or even an ultraspacious two-seat set-up with a drinks fridge, on-board WiFi and Bluetooth as standard. Thickpile carpet, an ambient lighting system, and hand-crafted wood veneers add extra opulence. Privacy can be upgraded as part of an optional exterior package that includes smoke-tinted rear windows, Entertainment system options include a PlayStation or Xbox console, connected to a 20in media screen that is built in to a leather-clad divider between the front and rear compartments.
AUGUST 2021
