A number of Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) initiatives including trials on hydrogen-powered vans are to be run in London boroughs to tackle London’s air pollution problems at a local level.
Announced by the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL), six ‘Neighbourhoods of the Future’ schemes will be run across nine London boroughs and could be rolled out across the UK.
A total of £1.4m is to be supplied by the Mayor of London and TfL, matched by £1.1m from the London boroughs involved and Heathrow airport.
The winning initiatives include a £130k trial of one of the UK’s first hydrogen-diesel powered vans at Heathrow airport’s delivery consolidation centre, supporting the reduction of emissions from its day-to-day operations.
A scheme for Croydon & Sutton will see electric vans and trucks loaned to businesses in the Beddington Industrial Area, with £123,306 funding allocated.
Hammersmith is planning to deploy a zero-emission zone for the town centre, including standard and rapid charge points for electric vehicles, with an overall £210k funding.
Within Hackney, Islington and Tower Hamlets, ‘electric streets’ will be created – with a concentration of charging points and electric vehicle-only parking and loading points. This scheme was awarded £1.2m.
In the borough of Harrow, a £230k scheme will see mechanics specially trained to service ULEVs. EV charging points will be installed in Harrow town centre, and local businesses will trial the use of EV fleets.
And in Haringey, clean energy charging schemes will be trialled, including a rapid charging taxi rank, in addition to specialist business and community engagement to drive awareness of green technology and encourage behaviour change, with £609,000 funding awarded.
Shirley Rodrigues, deputy mayor for environment and energy, said: “Tackling London’s poor air quality is a public health emergency that requires bold action at all levels of Government. These six innovative schemes will play a direct role cleaning the up toxic air in neighbourhoods across London, and could lead the way for similar schemes across the UK.
“It’s only by working closely with councils, businesses and local communities across London that we can fulfil our ambition of being a world leader in tackling the air pollution crisis.”
