FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
Transport for London’s (TfL) commercial property company, Places for London, has commenced its search for a single joint venture (JV) partner to help it bring forward a number of new electric vehicle (EV) ultra-rapid charging hubs across its estate.
The JV partnership, which will help support the Mayor of London’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon by 2030, aims to deliver new off-street charging hubs that will be able to simultaneously charge multiple vehicles. The sites will also help support placemaking in the local areas by including retail and welfare facilities on some of the larger sites where possible.
Places for London is looking for a partner that has experience in the EV charging sector, such as designing and building EV charging hubs elsewhere in the UK and operating a portfolio of industry-leading charging points. It is open to interest from a consortium or a single entity.
Five locations have been identified as initial seed sites, with the potential to increase the number of sites available to the JV over time. Each site will deliver a minimum of six publicly accessible ultra-rapid charging bays, including at least one bay for those with accessibility needs, which will allow drivers to charge their vehicles in approximately half an hour.
By creating a long-term JV partnership, this opportunity will enable Places for London to directly shape the design and delivery of the hubs while generating long-term revenue, which can then be reinvested back into the transport network – further encouraging a shift to more sustainable forms of transport.
Mark Farrow, Director of Strategy and Planning at Places for London, said: “We are excited to be launching the search for a partner to work with us on bringing forward a number of new electric vehicle charging hubs. These charging hubs will make it even easier for those who need to rapidly charge their electric vehicles, with several bays at each location.
“These hubs will not only help encourage others to confidently make the transition to electric vehicles, they will also help generate vital revenue that can then be reinvested into the wider transport network, further encouraging the use of sustainable transport, while simultaneously working toward the Mayor of London’s commitment to achieving Net Zero carbon by 2030.”
Around 1,000 EV charging points found across the capital are rapid or ultra-rapid charging points. Of these, approximately 300 have been delivered by TfL.
As part of its Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy, TfL’s modelling predicts that if current demand continues, London will need around 4,000 rapid charge points by 2030. To help achieve this number, TfL is looking at how to bring more of its own land into use for EV charging bays and is working with other members of the Greater London Authority (GLA) family and borough councils to bring further sites across London.
More information for those looking to bid can be found by clicking here.
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