Hackney Council Seeks Residents for EV Charge Point Locations

Key Points

• Hackney Council is seeking resident feedback via a short online survey to determine optimal locations for new public EV charge points on lampposts and parking bays, ensuring pedestrian-friendly installations.
• The borough currently has 1,200 charge points installed, with plans to expand to 3,000 by 2030, potentially creating one of the UK’s biggest concentrations of EV chargers.
• Hackney is already recognised as London’s best area for EV charging, boasting 464 chargers per 100,000 people and rapid expansion.
• The EV programme is managed by Charge Point Operator (CPO) Zest, with Hackney Light and Power offering reduced tariffs: a flat rate of 59p/kWh or a £16.25 monthly subscription (excluding VAT) for unlimited charging for local EV permit holders.
• Hackney Councillor Sarah Young, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, urged residents to participate, stating the initiative supports a cleaner, quieter Hackney shaped by community input.

Hackney (East London Times) January 20, 2026 – Hackney Council is calling on residents to help identify ideal spots for new public electric vehicle (EV) charge points through a simple online survey, aiming to install chargers on lampposts and parking bays while prioritising pedestrian safety. This community-driven approach builds on the borough’s existing network of 1,200 charge points, with ambitions to reach 3,000 by 2030, positioning Hackney among the UK’s leaders in EV infrastructure density. Already hailed as London’s top area for charging with 464 chargers per 100,000 residents, the initiative underscores Hackney’s rapid push towards sustainable transport.​

Why Is Hackney Seeking Resident Input on EV Charger Locations?

The council’s decision to involve locals stems from a commitment to equitable and practical infrastructure rollout. As detailed in the EVpowered.co.uk report, residents can submit feedback via a short online survey at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NiyPOPSMFhJ4mSSdln-7FkrhZ8jgHp8q2zcRZoyBCfI/viewform?edit_requested=true, which will directly inform placements that avoid disrupting footpaths. This participatory method ensures chargers are accessible without compromising the borough’s walkable streets, a key concern in densely populated East London.​

Councillor Sarah Young, Hackney’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, emphasised the value of public voices.

“The shift to electric vehicles is creating a cleaner, quieter and more sustainable Hackney,”

she stated, as quoted in the EVpowered.co.uk coverage.

“As we support people in this transition to less polluting cars, we’re ensuring that charging infrastructure is fair, accessible and shaped by residents’ requests.”

She added,

“That’s why we’re inviting everyone to have their say on where we install the next round of charge points. Soon, we’ll have among the densest charging networks in the country. This is your chance to help us decide exactly where these chargers are located.”​

What Is Hackney’s Current EV Charging Landscape?

Hackney already stands out for its robust EV network. According to EVpowered.co.uk, the borough hosts 1,200 charge points, contributing to a density of 464 per 100,000 people—earning it the title of London’s best area for public charging. This recognition comes from its comprehensive coverage and ongoing expansion, as highlighted in a related EVpowered.co.uk article on the new EVA Constituency Map, which spotlights England’s top and bottom performers in public charging availability.​

The programme’s operator, Charge Point Operator (CPO) Zest, oversees installations and maintenance. Complementing this, Hackney Light and Power—the council’s own energy service—provides affordable tariffs for residents. Options include a standard 59p per kWh or a monthly subscription of £16.25 (excluding VAT) granting unlimited charging for local EV permit holders. These incentives aim to ease the financial barriers to EV adoption, particularly for Hackney’s diverse communities.​

How Does This Fit into Hackney’s 2030 Ambitions?

By 2030, Hackney targets 3,000 chargers, a figure that would solidify its status with one of the UK’s highest concentrations. The survey responses will be pivotal in mapping this growth, focusing on lampposts and parking bays to maximise convenience. This aligns with broader Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) compliance and net-zero goals, reducing air pollution in a borough long plagued by high traffic emissions.​

As reported by EVpowered.co.uk, the expansion addresses the growing number of EVs on Hackney’s roads, where demand outstrips supply in some neighbourhoods. Councillor Young noted that resident input will prevent oversights, such as blocking cycle lanes or narrow pavements, ensuring the network evolves practically. No additional sources contradict this timeline, confirming the council’s steady progress since initial installations.​

Who Is Leading Hackney’s EV Programme?

Charge Point Operator (CPO) Zest heads the initiative, partnering closely with Hackney Council. Zest’s expertise in urban charging solutions has enabled the current 1,200-point network, with scalability to 3,000 by decade’s end. Hackney Light and Power handles the energy side, offering the resident tariff structure to promote uptake—59p/kWh flat or £16.25 monthly for unlimited access.​

Councillor Sarah Young remains the public face, driving policy as Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport. Her statements, as covered by EVpowered.co.uk, frame the survey as a democratic tool:

“We’re ensuring that charging infrastructure is fair, accessible and shaped by residents’ requests.”

No other officials are named in the primary reporting, keeping attribution focused on council leadership.​

What Tariffs Are Available for Hackney EV Users?

Affordability is central to adoption. Hackney Light and Power’s offerings include a straightforward 59p per kWh for all users, alongside a subscription model at £16.25 per month (excluding VAT) for permit holders seeking unlimited sessions. These rates, lower than many commercial providers, incentivise locals amid rising EV ownership.​

EVpowered.co.uk details how this ties into Zest’s operations, ensuring reliable power delivery across the network. Residents with permits—typically tied to council parking—gain the most value, supporting low-income drivers in transitioning from polluting vehicles.​

Why Is Hackney Already London’s Top Charging Borough?

Independent analysis crowns Hackney as London’s premier EV charging zone. EVpowered.co.uk cites the EVA Constituency Map, which measures chargers per 100,000 residents at 464—far above averages. This density, paired with expansion velocity, sets Hackney apart from neighbours like Tower Hamlets or Newham.​

The accolade reflects strategic investments since the programme’s launch, now amplified by community surveys. Councillor Young links this to sustainability:

“The shift to electric vehicles is creating a cleaner, quieter and more sustainable Hackney.”​

How Can Residents Participate in the Survey?

Participation is straightforward via the Google Form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NiyPOPSMFhJ4mSSdln-7FkrhZ8jgHp8q2zcRZoyBCfI/viewform?edit_requested=true. The council promises to use inputs for pedestrian-safe placements, inviting “everyone to have their say,” per Councillor Young.​

No deadlines are specified in EVpowered.co.uk’s report, but prompt responses will shape the next phase. This open call democratises planning in a borough of 260,000, ensuring chargers serve high-need areas like Dalston or Lower Clapton.​

What Challenges Might Arise from This Expansion?

While ambitious, scaling to 3,000 chargers raises questions of grid capacity and aesthetics. EVpowered.co.uk notes the lamppost and bay focus mitigates visual clutter, but residents may flag congestion hotspots via the survey. Councillor Young assures fairness:

“We’re supporting people in this transition to less polluting cars.”​

Ongoing Zest oversight and Hackney Light and Power’s tariffs address costs, though VAT exclusions on subscriptions bear monitoring. No reports signal delays, affirming momentum.​

Broader Implications for East London EV Adoption

Hackney’s model could inspire Waltham Forest or Islington. Its density lead—464 per 100,000—exemplifies borough-led innovation amid national targets. By 2030, 3,000 points would amplify ULEZ impacts, curbing NOx and particulates.​

Councillor Young’s vision—“among the densest charging networks in the country”—positions Hackney as a pioneer. The survey ensures this remains resident-centric, blending top-down policy with grassroots input