Building Newham's Public Charging Network
Newham Council is delivering a borough-wide network of publicly accessible electric vehicle charge points to support the growing demand for electric vehicle charging and help residents transition to lower-emission transport.
The programme is primarily designed to support residents who do not have access to private driveways or off-street parking, where charging an electric vehicle at home may not be possible. Rather than installing charge points for individual households, the Council is creating a shared public charging network that can be used by residents, businesses and visitors.
As public highway space is limited, it is not possible to provide a charge point outside every property. Instead, charge points are strategically located to maximise accessibility and serve the greatest number of users while balancing the needs of all highway users
Each proposed location is carefully assessed, taking into account factors such as local demand, available electrical capacity, technical feasibility, parking considerations, accessibility and road safety. This evidence-based approach helps ensure the network continues to grow in a way that is practical, sustainable and benefits communities across the borough.
How we choose charging locations
Every proposed charging location undergoes a detailed assessment to ensure it is suitable, safe and able to meet the needs of the local community. Our aim is to create a reliable public charging network that provides the greatest benefit to residents while making effective use of the public highway.
No single factor determines whether a location is selected. Instead, each site is assessed using a range of technical, operational and local considerations, including:
- resident requests and local demand;
- existing and forecast demand for electric vehicle charging;
- the availability of a suitable electricity supply;
- technical feasibility and engineering constraints;
- parking demand and the potential impact on existing parking provision;
- accessibility for pedestrians and all highway users; and
- road safety and the surrounding street environment.
Where appropriate, proposals may also be subject to statutory consultation, allowing residents and stakeholders to provide feedback before a final decision is made. This evidence-based approach helps ensure new charging locations are practical, accessible and support the continued growth of Newham's public charging network.
