Smarter EV charging roll out in London could cut needs by more than a quarter
July 16, 2026
A new Clean Cities study finds that London can meet growing demand for electric vehicle (EV) charging while reducing costs and protecting public space – provided charging infrastructure is planned strategically and joined with a small shift away from cars.
The report, Taking Charge, analyses public EV charging across Greater London alongside Paris, Madrid and Warsaw. While London already has one of Europe’s largest public charging networks, the research shows that smarter planning could reduce the number of new public charge points required by more than a quarter.
Key findings for London
- Greater London currently has 3.2 public charge points per 1,000 residents, making it one of Europe’s better-served cities for public charging.
- Despite this, London will still need to expand its charging network significantly by 2030 and 2035 to meet rising demand as more drivers switch to electric vehicles.
- Smarter planning could reduce the number of new public chargers needed by more than a quarter by directing charging towards workplaces, destinations and private parking where possible, increasing the use of faster chargers, and supporting a modest reduction in car ownership.
Poorly planned rollout risks increasing pressure on London’s already crowded streets. It also risks reinforcing inequalities if charging infrastructure concentrates in commercially attractive areas, while outer boroughs and neighbourhoods with less private parking remain underserved.
The biggest challenge is ensuring residents without driveways can access convenient charging. Across Europe, just 21% of electric car drivers live in flats, compared with 44% of conventional car drivers, suggesting that people without private charging remain underrepresented among EV owners.
The report argues that success should not be measured simply by the number of charge points installed, but by whether charging is affordable, reliable and located where people need it most.
The analysis shows that encouraging more charging at workplaces, destinations and homes where possible, alongside greater use of higher-powered chargers, could reduce the number of public charge points required by around one fifth. Combined with a 10% reduction in car ownership, the required rollout falls by more than a quarter.
London will still need substantial investment in public charging infrastructure. However, strategic deployment can reduce costs, minimise street clutter and ensure people without access to home charging are not left behind during the transition to electric vehicles.
Zak Bond, Campaign Manager at Clean Cities UK, said:
“London has made real progress on public EV charging, and is a leader in the UK, but the next phase needs to be smarter, not just more of the same. By putting chargers where people actually need them and making better use of workplaces, destinations and rapid charging, we can support the transition to electric vehicles while protecting public space and ensuring residents without driveways aren’t left behind.”
The report calls on London and other UK cities to develop comprehensive charging masterplans that identify demand neighbourhood by neighbourhood, prioritise areas with limited access to private charging, and reduce unnecessary reliance on on-street infrastructure by encouraging charging at workplaces, retail destinations and residential parking where possible.
- Taking Charge analyses public and semi-public EV charging infrastructure in Greater London, Paris, Madrid and Warsaw. PDF.
- The study covers battery-electric passenger cars and individual vans.
- Plug-in hybrid vehicles, taxis, private hire vehicles, heavy goods vehicles and buses are outside the scope of the analysis because they have different charging patterns and infrastructure requirements.
- Clean Cities’ earlier report, From Plan to Plug, sets out practical guidance for city charging strategies.
