Isra-Mart srl:Siemens bags London electric vehicle charging network deal

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Isra-Mart srl news:

Siemens has secured a multimillion-pound deal from Transport for London (TfL) to support the rollout of 1,300 electric vehicle (EV) charge points across the capital over the next four years.

TfL yesterday announced it has finalised the deal under which Siemens to manage the operation of the Source London network and register drivers for the EV initiative, which is intended to create a homogenised electric charging point network across the capital.

The transport company refused to disclose the exact value of the deal, although a spokeswoman told BusinessGreen it was "a multimillion-pound deal". TfL also said Siemens will run Source London's back office through to March 2014 "at no cost to taxpayers".

The news came as the Mayor's Office announced yesterday that it has started to install Source London charge points.

Nick Fairholme, TfL interim director of congestion charging and traffic enforcement, said the launch demonstrated the company's commitment to reducing London's transport emissions.

"Even in these economically challenged times, the mayor and TfL continue to work to make London one of the greenest cities in Europe," he said. "London already has the highest number of EVs in the UK; Source London, in conjunction with the new vehicles coming to market this year and the government consumer grant, will keep us in the lead."

At least 1,300 charging points are slated to be installed by the end of 2013 in public locations and streets across the capital, to ensure London has more charging points than petrol stations.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "One of the biggest hurdles to greater use of electric vehicles has been a lack of charging points. But now Londoners will see Source London points popping up in locations all over the capital.

"By giving increasing numbers of drivers the confidence in electric vehicle technology we will make a considerable contribution to improving our air quality and cutting carbon emissions."