More people in Harrow are opting for electric vehicles (EVs). An EV is a vehicle that runs on electricity instead of petrol or diesel. They can help to reduce local air pollution and cut carbon emissions.
Because usage is on the rise, we know that demand for charging spots is increasing too. We aim to make public charging easy and affordable for everyone. This includes current EV owners and future EV drivers too.
Home EV charging in Harrow
Residents must not use charging cables across public pavements. Cables on the path are hazardous. They can hurt pedestrians and wheelchair users.
We know that residents want to charge their cars at home. We are currently creating a new home charging policy. The policy will consider safer charging options.
One choice we are testing is gully charging. This is a charging port installed in the pavement. This helps your cable run safely from your home charger to your car, so no one trips over it.
We are still looking at options for residents without driveways. These include:
- Lamp column chargers on local streets.
- Roadside chargers in busy areas.
- Charging spaces in council car parks.
- Rapid chargers for battery top-ups.
Public EV charging in Harrow
We have a range of EV chargers available across Harrow:
- Lamp column chargers (5.5 kW): These are built into our street lights. They are perfect for overnight charging.
- Fast chargers (7 kW to 22 kW): Great for boosting your battery during the day.
- Rapid chargers (50 kW): Charge an EV battery from 10% to 80% in under an hour.
- Flat and flush chargers: Chargers flush with the pavement so narrow paths stay clear.
You can also request an EV charging spot in your neighbourhood.
Recent and current EV projects in Harrow
We’re working on major projects to create more charging spaces in our borough:
- We are installing over 100 new chargers on streets. These are in areas where there is limited driveway space. The On Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) backs this. The ORCS is a government fund. It helps local councils put in street chargers.
- We’ve joined five other UK councils. Together, we aim to secure £1.25 million from the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund. The fund should help us build large networks of public car chargers.
- We are selecting a new charge point company. They will install and manage rapid chargers in our council car parks.
Frequently asked questions
How do you choose EV charger locations?
We check local demand. We look at available street parking. We do technical checks. We also review requests from residents.
Do I have to pay to use a public EV charger?
Yes. You pay for the electricity you use. Prices are set by our partner charging companies and kept as low as possible.
Can I ask for an EV charger near my home?
Yes. You can use our online form to suggest a street. We use all residents’ requests to plan where future chargers should go.
Will EV chargers take away normal parking spaces?
No. Most chargers fit into current street layouts or lamp posts. Some parking bays can be used by both EVs and non-electric cars.
Are public EV chargers clean and reliable?
Yes. Our partner companies test chargers often. They also clean and repair them. This keeps the chargers safe and working well.
Are EV chargers easy for disabled drivers to use?
Yes. Our new LEVI chargers meet UK accessibility standards. This makes it easy for disabled drivers to use them.
Can I get a government grant for a home EV charger?
Yes. You might be able to get a government grant if you live in a flat or a rented home. You can check your eligibility on GOV.UK.
Will there be enough chargers as more people buy EVs?
Yes. Our long-term plan depends on government funding. This will help us add more chargers as demand grows.
Request a new charging location
If you live in Harrow and want a charge point near your home, please fill out our EV charger request form. We can't promise every location will be chosen. Your input helps us focus on areas for future funded projects.
