Data from London’s cabbies to help plan EV network

Data from London’s black taxis is to be used to help plan the city’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network. UK Power Networks has launched a project to establish what investment […]

Data from London’s black taxis is to be used to help plan the city’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network.

UK Power Networks has launched a project to establish what investment is needed and help prepare for a future when all of London’s cabbies have made the switch to zero-emission capable vehicles.

The project aims to provide an insight into when and where plug-in taxis and private hire EVs charge, so the necessary investments and infrastructure can be planned to accommodate them.

It will use real-life data from the London Electric Vehicle Company’s (LEVC) test fleet to model how all the new charging points needed could affect the electricity network.

Transport for London recently introduced new licence requirements for all new black cabs to be zero-emission capable from 2018, with the same applying for all new minicabs from 2023.

Ian Cameron, Head of Innovation at UK Power Networks, said: “This project is an important step in allowing us to understand exactly what we need to do to facilitate more zero-emission vehicles to charge quickly and easily.

“By getting a really accurate picture of exactly how and where this sector of EV charging will interact with the network, we’ll be able to make informed decisions on how to support low carbon technologies.”

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