London City Airport commits to electric car charging stations

London City Airport (LCY) has opened its first electric car charging stations.

Furthermore, London City Airport, which has the best record in the UK for sustainable journeys to and from an airport, is initially offering seven new charging stations for use by its passengers, staff, and ‘black cab’ community.

The airport wants to play its part in encouraging the uptake of electric car journeys across London and anticipates adding more stations as passenger figures rebound, as more people switch to electric cars.

The initial instalment 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 installation was undertaken by UK Power Networks Services, who manage the private electricity network of London City Airport.

The service will be provided by BP Pulse and a rapid charge for passengers will cost £0.30p per kWh, with payment possible either by credit card or via the BP Pulse app.

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 (2021). This will continue to be offered to new starters as the airport plans for a recruitment drive throughout 2022.

Welcoming the announcement, London City Airport, CEO, 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.

Aviation Minister, Robert Courts MP with Robert Sinclair CEO of London City Airport, whilst visiting the airport. Photograph Credit: Andrew Baker (London City Airport)

”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 re-affirm our position as the airport with the best sustainable transport links in the UK.

“This is certainly a service that I envisage growing as we set out our ambitions to reach net zero later in the year (2022) and as the airport bounces back over the course of 2022.”

Aviation Minister Robert Courts said: “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.”