London City Airport offers EV charging

Three rapid and four fast chargers can now be used by passengers, black cabs and airport staff

London City Airport has opened its first electric car charging stations. The airport is initially offering seven new charging stations for use by its passengers, staff and black cabs.

The airport anticipates adding more stations as passenger figures rebound and more people switch to electric vehicles.

The initial installation will include three 50kW rapid and four 22kW fast charging points, of which one 50kW charger will be specially designated for use by the local black cab community. The remaining rapid and fast chargers will be located in the airport’s car parks and will be available to passengers, staff and minicabs.

The service will be provided by bp pulse, which is part of BP.

The rapid charge for passengers will cost 30p per kWh, with payment possible either by credit card or via the bp pulse app.

London City Airport chief executive Robert Sinclair said: “Travel is about more than just a flight and we are committed to encouraging clean journeys, whether by electric car or by DLR, to and from London City.

“As we start to offer connections to more destinations and welcome returning and new passengers to the airport, I am hopeful that the electric charging stations will help reaffirm our position as the airport with the best sustainable transport links in the UK.”

The chargepoint installation was undertaken by UK Power Networks Services, which manages the private electricity network of London City Airport. Tony Blackwell, project manager, UK Power Networks Services, said: “As London City Airport’s long-term strategic energy infrastructure partner, we are delighted to provide this installation supporting the Airport’s net zero and sustainability ambitions.”

The chargepoint project is part of a drive to increase the number of sustainable journeys to and from London City. It builds on 2021’s partnership with Tusker to encourage staff to purchase electric vehicles. To promote sustainable journeys and make electric cars more affordable, a salary sacrifice finance scheme was offered to all London City Airport staff late last year, in partnership with Tusker. This will continue to be offered to new starters as the airport plans for a recruitment drive throughout 2022.

Aviation minister Robert Courts welcomed the initiative, saying: “As we build back greener from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is great to see London City Airport leading the way in catering for the growing number of people who are switching to electric vehicles.”