The Mayor has been criticised for his target in achieving 100,000 electric vehicles in London and making it the electric vehicle capital of Europe.

The pledge made in 2009 is only 2% of the way towards his goal as there are only just over 2,300 electric vehicles in London and only 400 charge points across London compared to his target of 1300 by next year.

The Environment Committee warns that the Mayor’s plans will deliver environmental benefits too slowly and more work is needed to understand the environmental impacts of the technology.

Murad Qureshi AM, Environment Committee Chair said: “Electric vehicles could help improve London’s air quality but only if there are enough of them and they are used over a long period of time. Currently progress is slow and we are concerned that it could take many years before we see any environmental benefits from the Mayor’s ambitious plans.”

In response to the criticism, Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor’s Environment Director said: “London already has more electric vehicles in operation than anywhere else in the UK and with major manufacturers now investing billions bringing family friendly and more affordable electric cars to market, the Mayor is confident his ongoing plans will stimulate and support a significant uplift in electric vehicles.”

The Committee wants the Mayor to raise awareness and focus more on taxis, light goods vehicles and buses to make a significant and lower carbon emissions over the short to medium term.