Key Points
- Newham Council, in partnership with Believ and Uber, has installed its 500th on-street electric vehicle (EV) charge point, marking Clean Air Day 2025.
- The partnership aims to have over 1,000 charge points operational by April 2026 and 3,000 by 2030, supporting Newham’s Climate Emergency Action Plan.
- Many Newham residents lack private driveways; public chargers are vital for inclusivity and accessibility.
- 800 charge points are fully funded by Uber and Believ, with additional funding from other sources1.
- Site selection is informed by feedback from residents and Uber drivers to ensure community needs are met.
- The initiative supports Uber’s goal of becoming an all-electric platform in London and addresses the high concentration of Uber drivers in Newham.
- Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE and key stakeholders from Uber and Believ highlight the environmental and economic benefits of the project.
- The EV infrastructure expansion is part of Newham’s broader strategy to combat air pollution and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
- Previous milestones include a £2.6m funding agreement with Uber for 400 charge points and earlier rollouts with Allego and other partners.
- Newham has some of the worst air quality in London, with motor vehicles contributing to 50% of pollution.
In a landmark move for sustainable urban transport and traffic & travel in Newham, Newham Council, in collaboration with electric vehicle (EV) charging partner Believ and ride-hailing giant Uber, has announced the installation of its 500th on-street EV charge point, coinciding with Clean Air Day 2025. This milestone is a significant step in the borough’s ambitious plan to deliver cleaner air, promote electric mobility, and support the transition to a carbon-neutral future.
What Is the Significance of the 500th EV Charge Point Milestone in Newham?
As reported by the Newham Council Newsroom, the 500th charge point is a symbol of the borough’s rapid progress in expanding EV infrastructure. The rollout forms part of a larger vision: more than 1,000 charge points are expected to be operational by April 2026, with a total of 3,000 planned by 2030. This expansion is integral to Newham’s Climate Emergency Action Plan, which targets carbon neutrality by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.
The need for accessible public charging is acute in Newham, where many residents do not have driveways or private parking. The council’s strategy ensures that EV ownership is a practical option for all, not just those with off-street parking, thereby fostering greater inclusivity.
How Did the Partnership with Believ and Uber Come About?
According to Newham Council’s official statement, the partnership leverages the expertise and funding of both Believ, the charge point operator (CPO), and Uber, which has a vested interest in supporting its drivers’ transition to electric vehicles. Of the 500 charge points, 800 are being fully funded by Uber and Believ as part of a wider EVCP (Electric Vehicle Charging Point) programme. Additional funding sources supplement this core investment.
The site selection process is notably community-driven, informed by requests and feedback from both local residents and Uber drivers. This approach ensures that the infrastructure is well-located and meets the practical needs of those who will use it most.
What Are the Stakeholders Saying About the Project?
Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, as quoted by the Newham Council Newsroom, emphasised the popularity and necessity of the existing EV charging network:
“We know how popular the existing EV charging points around Newham already are, which is why we want to see a lot more of them across the borough. Our Electric Vehicle Charging Point expansion is a great example of our Just Transition Plan in action, as it’s helping residents who’ve made the move to electric and hybrid vehicles save money through lower fuel and parking costs, as well as providing cleaner air for our residents, and lower CO2 emissions as more and more people move away from fossil-fuel powered cars.”
Andrew Brem, General Manager at Uber, highlighted the direct impact on Uber drivers:
“Getting these chargers in the ground is a huge milestone, with drivers often telling me that being able to access reliable charging near their homes is critical to their decision to switch to an EV.”
Guy Bartlett, CEO of Believ, underlined the collaborative nature of the initiative:
“This partnership is designed to support the specific needs of Newham Council’s residents, tackle the climate emergency and make electric vehicles accessible to all. The charge points will provide the convenience required for drivers to switch away from fossil fuels.”
How Does This Fit into Newham’s Broader Environmental Strategy?
Newham’s EV infrastructure rollout is a cornerstone of its response to the climate emergency. The borough has the worst air quality of any London borough, with motor transport responsible for around 50% of air pollution. The council’s strategy includes emissions-based parking charges to incentivise the move to zero-emission vehicles and a commitment to ensuring that every resident is within walking distance of a charge point by 2030.
Cllr James Asser, Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Sustainable Transport, previously stated:
“The transition of our residents and businesses to zero emission vehicles is a key component in delivering an improvement in Newham’s air quality and to address the Climate Emergency. The lack of charging points is a major constraint to electric vehicle ownership after the initial outlay cost of an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle.”
What Funding and Partnerships Have Enabled This Progress?
In March 2022, Newham Council announced a £2.6 million funding agreement with Uber B.V. to deliver up to 400 charging points, a move designed to support all EV drivers in the borough, not just Uber drivers. This agreement followed earlier initiatives, such as the installation of 80 on-street charging points through a partnership with Allego as part of the Go Ultra Low City Scheme (GULCS), a joint project with Transport for London (TfL), the Greater London Authority (GLA), and London Councils.
Uber’s involvement is particularly strategic, as Newham has the largest number of Uber drivers in London. The company is aiming for an all-electric fleet in the capital by 2025, making local charging infrastructure essential for its drivers’ livelihoods and for meeting its environmental commitments.
How Are Residents and Drivers Benefiting from the EV Infrastructure Expansion?
The expansion of EV charging points is making it easier for Newham residents to switch to electric vehicles, reducing barriers to ownership and supporting those who rely on their vehicles for work, such as Uber drivers. The publicly available charge points are accessible to all, with payment options designed for flexibility and convenience.
The council’s efforts are also supported by emissions-based parking charges and ongoing community engagement to ensure the infrastructure meets real-world needs.
What Are the Next Steps for Newham’s EV Charging Network?
Looking ahead, Newham Council plans to accelerate the rollout, with a target of over 1,000 operational charge points by April 2026 and 3,000 by 2030. The council remains committed to pursuing partnership opportunities and leveraging both public and private funding to deliver on its sustainability agenda.
Residents can find the locations and speed of existing charging points using tools like Zap Map, ensuring transparency and ease of access.
