Croydon Council's Cabinet has backed plans to significantly expand the borough's electric vehicle (EV) charging network, aiming to deliver reliable, inclusive, and affordable public EV charging infrastructure by 2035. The draft Electric Vehicle Charging Point Strategy, approved for public consultation, outlines a vision to meet the growing demand for EV charging, particularly for the 49% of households in Croydon who lack off-street parking.
The strategy proposes a blended delivery model that maximises private investment while targeting public funding where it adds the most value. While the strategy aims for equitable distribution across all wards, it does not specify exact criteria for determining where public funding is most valuable beyond influencing locations and operator selection through a concession model. Councillor Herrmann questioned the criteria for ensuring equitable distribution in less commercially attractive areas, and officers responded that public funding would be used to influence locations and that the concession model allows for council influence over operator selection.
Councillor Scott Roche, Cabinet Member for Streets and Environment, highlighted the strategy's focus on fairness, ensuring all parts of Croydon benefit from improved charging access. The plan includes exploring solutions for residents without off-street parking, such as a cautious, evidence-led pilot for cross-pavement charging, which will begin with disabled and mobility users. Specific challenges, safety implications, and detailed solutions for cross-pavement charging beyond this initial pilot are not yet elaborated upon.
Executive Mayor Jason Perry stated that the strategy aligns with his business plan for a cleaner, safer, and healthier borough. The plan outlines a long-term direction to deliver a reliable and affordable charging network with around 4,500 charging points by 2035. Projections indicate a significant increase in electric vehicles, with a decrease in petrol and diesel vehicles expected by 2035.
Key proposals include the strategic placement of charge points across all wards and identifying partnership opportunities with charge point operators and utility providers. The strategy also aims to ensure that charging costs are fair, transparent, and comparable across the borough.
The council will now commence a public consultation on the draft strategy during spring and summer 2026, inviting feedback from residents, businesses, community groups, and EVCP providers. The final strategy, incorporating consultation feedback, is expected to be published later in 2026. The draft strategy can be viewed in full at Croydon EVCP Strategy.
