Following Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s recent announcement to expand London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), car sharing service Zipcar UK is offering advice to consumers and businesses as to how UK cities can keep congestion levels low without compromising on urban mobility. Zipcar UK, launched in 2006, aims to have a 100% electric fleet by 2025.
James Taylor, general manager of Zipcar UK, said:“The Mayor’s office and TfL are absolutely doing the right thing by treating London’s growing air pollution and congestion issues with the gravitas that they need. Expanding the city’s Ultra Low Emission Zones will be crucial in helping to combat the risks for people and our planet associated with high air pollution levels and will also serve to make London’s streets friendlier for pedestrians and cyclists.
“Reducing car ownership is where our collective focus should lie. It means less driving, less parking, and more space for people and the things they love."
“A multi-modal approach to urban transportation is the most realistic route forward,” concludes James. “For example, a London resident using a car-sharing service can use a car when they need one - for things like doing a big weekly shop or getting to a part of the city-region which isn’t accessible by public transport - but rely on walking, cycling and our transport network for most of their day-to-day trips.
“We can only achieve goals set out by the Government for a greener city, however, if we accelerate the rollout of electric vehicle infrastructure. In the city, we currently have 500 rapid chargers, which is significantly behind where we should be - particularly in light of additional ULEZ expansion and further restrictions being placed on car users. To fulfil its urban sustainability ambitions London will require 4,000 rapid chargers by 2025, leaving an urgent gap that requires plugging.”
