by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
While electric vehicle charging points in London are spreading in a virus-like fashion and the use of electric vehicles (EVs) is rising June 20th saw the announcement of changes in the City of London's parking concessions for electric vehicles.
Those that currently park electric vehicles in the area of the City of London under the borough's electric vehicle scheme will see an increase in on-street parking from zero to £50 per year. Off-street parking, in the City's car parks, will go from nil to £2,000 per year in 2009. According to information this fee for off-street will then further increase to £4,000 per year by 2010 and to £6396 in 2011, making it then the same as the charges for a standard cars with internal combustion engines.
The reason for this dramatic change by the City of London that the borough has given is that although the programme had proved very successful it had, in their view, encouraged increased vehicle use within the borough.
No one, however, mentioned the subsequent air quality improvements through the use of zero emission vehicles anywhere in the announcement.
While the owners of electric vehicles (EVs) and advocates and dealers of those may lament this move by the Square Mile as a step backwards, the council justified its decision by arguing that those incentives had actually increased traffic in the area.
We can only assume that it was encouraging owners of electric vehicles from neighboring boroughs to park in the City of London where there was no charge for parking.
One can only believe that the borough has realized that too many people have switched from ICE vehicles to electric vehicles and that their parking revenues have gone down and they are worried to have this revenue disappear altogether over time.
Furthermore it may have been taking people away from London’s extensive public transit network. In both cases losing revenue to the boroughs and the coffers of the capital as a whole.
This does, obviously, draw on an interesting and continuing debate in the green movement, which is – do we encourage alternative private vehicles, or do we encourage alternatives to private vehicles? I tend to think the answer must be both. At times, unfortunately, will be occassions when one goal conflicts with the other.
In a complete contrast to the City of London's announcement, officials in Paris announced the start of an ambitious electric vehicle rental scheme. By the end of 2009, it is anticipated there will be 4,000 electric cars available for hire within Paris following the success of a similar bicycle rental scheme.
For those who are not familiar with London, The City of London is the area that is also known as the “Square Mile” and is but a small borough within central London. The term city of London here does not refer to the entire capital.
© Michael Smith (Veshengro), July 2008
City of London parking concession changes
City Climate Pledge launched by City of London
by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
The City of London, on Monday 23 June, 2008, in the Guildhall, launched its City Climate Pledge.
The City of London, also often referred to as the Corporation of London or the London Corporation, provides local government services for the Square Mile, the financial and commercial heart of Britain. Its responsibilities extend far beyond the City boundaries in its commitment to mitigating climate change through supporting responsible business practices.
The Pledge is a new initiative, designed to help companies in the City of London play their part in the global fight against climate change.
The City Climate Pledge will help City organisations improve their environmental performance and will encourage them to use their global influence to affect the behaviour of companies around the UK and the world.
Lord Mayor of the City of London David Lewis says, “Climate change is our most serious global challenge and has severe implications for the world’s social and economic wellbeing. The City Climate Pledge will help the City show its commitment to combating climate change and use its global influence to set an example for the rest of the world to follow. We are very keen for all City companies to sign up to the Pledge.”
By signing up to the Pledge, organisations will demonstrate their commitment to tackling the challenge of climate change head on by:
- Publishing their carbon footprint and reporting on progress made in reducing their environmental impact
- Measuring and monitoring the carbon footprint arising from business activities
- Mitigating the amount of carbon produced by enhancing the efficiency of day-today operations and
- Maximising the effectiveness of any carbon offsetting for any unavoidable emissions (in accordance with the UK Government Code of Best Practice).
The City Climate Pledge is being delivered by the City of London in partnership with BRE, which is acting as core provider of carbon management advice and support for the Pledge and PURE, the UK’s leading carbon offset charity.
The BRE Group is a world-leading research, consultancy, training, testing and certification organisation, delivering sustainability and innovation across the built environment and beyond. -
Robert Rabinowicz, Director of Pure says ‘We are delighted to be involved in this great initiative by the City. We hope that every organisation within the square mile will sign up. Collective action is the only way to achieve the culture shift in industry and commerce that is necessary to make a demonstrable difference.’
Pure is the UK’s leading carbon offset charity with the specific objective of improving air quality and combating climate change.
M Smith (Veshengro), June 2008
