‘Charge rage’ could soon be replacing road rage on London’s streets if the predicted demand for electric car charging points is not met, according to a new report.
Drivers in the United States have already been involved in heated disputes as they compete over a shortage of electrical points – dubbed ‘charge rage’ by US media.
Clearing the Air, by London Assembly member Shaun Bailey, found the installation of charging points in the UK is occurring at an unsatisfactorily slow rate compared with the uptake of electric vehicles.
Latest Department for Transport figures show electric car sales are increasing by 172%Â every five years. Current installation rates of charging points however means there will be just one available for every 15 electric cars on the road by 2031.
Many of the sockets currently being installed are either  ‘standard’ or ‘slow’ chargers, taking between six and eight hours to fully charge a vehicle.
Bailey’s report recommends the Mayor spends £30million installing 1,579 rapid charging points – which can provide a vehicle with an 80% charge in 30 minutes – and support an industry that could single-handedly clean up London’s dirty air.
Bailey said: “If London is going to fully support the adoption of electric vehicles we need adequate charging infrastructure on our roads.
“This report found London is not preparing to provide the right number and quality of charging points to meet predicted demand and on current levels drivers could be left squabbling over sockets.
“The adoption of electric vehicles would go a long way to improving London’s air quality. In contrast, the Mayor’s plans to expand the ULEZ will have a negligible impact on emissions.
“That is why I’m urging the Mayor to abandon those plans and instead invest some of the money in improved electric charging infrastructure.â€
