The London Borough of Hackney has begun a new phase in its electric vehicle charging rollout, with nine rapid charge points now live across the borough and more than 50 planned by 2030.
The new chargers, delivered in partnership with ESB Energy, offer power output of up to 100kW, allowing drivers to recharge in around 30 minutes. Hackney Council said the expansion is intended to make cleaner vehicles more practical for residents and businesses as the shift away from petrol and diesel continues.
The first wave of rapid chargers has been installed at seven locations, with two of those sites hosting two chargers each. They are now available at Downham Road in De Beauvoir, Crozier Terrace in Hackney Wick, King John Court in Hoxton East and Shoreditch, Alexandra Grove in Brownswood, Stoke Newington Church Street, and Haberdasher Street in Hoxton West.
The move builds on Hackney’s wider charging ambitions. The council said more than 1,500 charge points have already been installed across the borough, putting it halfway towards its target of deploying 3,000 by 2030. This includes a mix of both destination chargers and rapid chargers.
What makes this latest rollout notable is the focus on rapid charging for drivers without off-street parking. Eligible Hackney residents with EV parking permits will be able to access discounted rates through a new Hackney Light and Power plan via the ESB Energy EV Plug In app.
According to the council, the special rates have been designed specifically for residents who cannot access a home charger. It includes a reduced overnight rate between 1am and 5am, alongside a preferential daytime rate on Hackney’s local rapid chargers.
That could prove particularly important in a borough where many residents are less likely to have driveways or private parking, and where access to convenient public charging is likely to play a major role in EV uptake.
While Hackney already had several charging providers offering rapid chargers throughout the area, these are the only ones that will offer the discount, and it should be noted that the area hosts fewer rapid chargers when compared to neighbouring London boroughs.
That’s something the council is keen to change, especially as it has previously been recognised for its EV charging infrastructure – with The Solar Co naming it as London’s best area for EV charging. The latest rapid rollout suggests the council is now turning its attention not just to the number of charge points available, but also to the speed and accessibility of the network.
Cllr Sarah Young, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, commented, “This is a huge step forward in expanding our electric vehicle charging network. By rolling out rapid chargers across the borough, we’re supporting more residents and businesses to consider switching to electric vehicles. And this means cleaner air and quieter streets for everyone.
“Our discounted night-time tariff goes even further, supporting people who have to drive for work with access to fast and affordable charging, and helping remove barriers to going electric.”
Suzanne Ward, Head of Developing Business, ESB Energy, added, “We’re proud to partner with Hackney Council to deliver a new generation of accessible, rapid EV chargers across the borough – powered entirely by 100% renewable energy. Reliable charging infrastructure is essential to accelerating the shift to cleaner transport, and we’re committed to supporting Hackney in building a future-ready EV network that serves residents, businesses, and the wider community.”
