The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is to be used to promote London mayor Boris Johnson’s electric vehicle charging network, Source London, which is to go live in Spring 2011.
Transport for London (TfL) welcomed four new Mitsubishi i-MiEVs into its fleet in June as part of the Mayor’s plans to make London the ‘electric vehicle capital of Europe’.
A flagship part of this goal, Source London is designed to deliver 1,300 public charging points across London by 2013.
The Source London network will create a single visual identity for electric driving across the capital, and allow members to charge their vehicles at any one of these public charging points for no more than an £100 annual membership fee. Currently electric vehicle drivers have to register in each separate borough they want to use charge points in. In preparation for this new network a website, www.sourcelondon.net, has also been launched providing a ‘one stop shop’ of information on electric vehicles, including charge point locations across the city. Once Source London has been launched in Spring 2011 drivers will be able to sign up for the scheme online.
Managing Director, Lance Bradley commented: “We are delighted that the i-MiEV is able to assist in promoting the new plans for a standardised electric vehicle charging infrastructure in London. The ‘one stop shop’ solution to charging is vital to enable the roll out of electric vehicles.”
The Mayor has recently reaffirmed a 100 per cent discount from the congestion charge for electric drivers in the capital, as well as other low emission vehicles, which offers electric vehicle owners using the zone a potential saving of more than £2000 a year.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson: “Already there are more electric drivers in London than anywhere else in the UK, but we are now entering an incredibly exciting period in electric motoring. Major manufacturers are gearing up to launch more affordable, practical electric cars over the next few years, whilst the cost of traditional fuels are making petrol-free driving an increasingly attractive option. By opting for electric in greater numbers, Londoners will also help to cut pollution levels and improve the city’s quality of living.”
