Electric vehicles

We have more than 2,200 on-street electric vehicle (EV) charge points across the City, ranging from 5kW to 50kW.  More are being added to provide even greater coverage for the growing number of EV owners in the City.

We have provided charge points for our residents by fitting these either into or alongside lamp columns positioned next to resident parking bays.  We have also created in excess of 400 dedicated EV bays for residents alongside these lamp column charge points.

We would like to ask that once you have charged your vehicle to please unplug and move away from the lamp column charge point so that other residents can obtain a charge.

Please check our map to see if there is a charge point close to you. 

Find a charge point

There are also dedicated EV bays alongside free standing  charge posts where you can charge for up to 4 hours from 8:30am to 6:30pm every day.  These are available to all users.

You might need to have access to the suppliers' app, or be in possession of a RFID card issued by the supplier, to obtain a charge.   All new installations of 22kW charge points are equipped with contactless payment terminals.

There are also 28 DC rapid chargers (50kW) on our road network and these can be accessed either via an app or by contactless payment.

You might find it convenient to check the supplier and download the app before you visit the charge point. Please visit the charge point mapping service at zap map if you are unsure who the supplier is at a chosen location.

Why go electric?

In London around 90 per cent of all car trips are less than 7 miles, making electric vehicles an ideal choice for an emission free short trip.

There is no vehicle excise duty to pay on EVs until April 2025 and running costs are lower than petrol and diesel vehicles.  EVs also have no tailpipe emissions of CO₂ or other air pollutants which have a detrimental effect on human health.  Please visit the Energy Saving Trust website for more information.

The other benefits of running an electric vehicle in Westminster include: 

• discounted parking - pay for just 10 minutes in Westminster’s on street pay-to-park bays and park for up to the maximum prescribed period (EV and plug-in hybrid vehicles only)
• access to on-street charging points alongside dedicated EV bays where it is free to park whilst you charge
• a free resident’s parking permit for Westminster residents with an EV
• 100 per cent cleaner car discount against the congestion charge until 2025 and no ULEZ charge

Charging providers in Westminster

Charge points in the city are operated by:

• Source London 
• BP Pulse 
• ESB
• Ubitricity

Search Zap Map to find the points nearest to you and visit their website for details of how to access the points. There are fees to connect to these points and these might differ if you decide to join a pay monthly scheme or pay as you go (operator dependent).

Charging at a car park

Charging points are available at a number of privately operated car parks in Westminster, including those operated by Q-Park and NCP.  

Charging from a private supply over the highway

Please do not charge your electric vehicle by running a cable across the public highway from a domestic or business electricity supply.

We do not support this method because of the potential safety risks to members of the public. 

Charging your vehicle with an extension lead is also not recommended, as it can overheat under the continual electrical load required to charge.

Westminster car club

Plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles are available to drive as part of the Westminster car club scheme.

Approximately 30 per cent of the flexible car sharing fleets that operate in Westminster are plug-in hybrid or fully electric.

Our car club page has more information.

Reporting a fault

If you find a fault with a charge point in the City, please report this directly to the supplier whose details can be found on the post.

Where to report a faulty EV charging point.