Electric vehicle lease scheme launched in London with 50 LEAFs; enrolled in EV trials

5 July 2013

An electric vehicle (EV) leasing scheme has been launched in London as part of UK Power Networks’ Low Carbon London EV trials. Fifty new Nissan LEAFs are being leased to residential and commercial motorists for up to two years, accompanied by free charging units for homes or offices.

All the cars are being enrolled on the Low Carbon London EV trials, led by London’s electricity distributor, to understand the impact on the electricity network of larger numbers of electric vehicles being plugged in to recharge.

The research will monitor EV charging patterns including the time of day, duration, location and amount of electricity transferred. The data will be scaled-up to model the impact on the electricity network under various scenarios.

The lease scheme aspect of the Low Carbon London EV trials is being delivered in partnership with Future Transport Systems. The scheme has proved popular and recruitment for the individual places on the scheme is complete. Commercial organisations looking to reduce the carbon output of their fleet still have an opportunity to participate. The lease rate for organisations is £299 (US$450) per month (plus VAT), excluding insurance, for two years.

EVs are exempt from road tax and the London Congestion Charge. Participation also includes free membership of Source London, the capital’s EV charging network, which provides free charging at more than 1,300 public charging posts. UK Power Networks and their specialist suppliers will be installing home or workplace charging units for the participants.

UK Power Networks distributes power to a third of Britain’s population through its electricity networks serving London, the South East and the East of England.

Low Carbon London, led by UK Power Networks, is a £28.3-million (US$42.6-million) program funded by customers through Ofgem’s Low Carbon Networks Fund and the electricity network operator. Its aim is to use London as a test bed to develop a smarter electricity network that can manage the demands of a low carbon economy and deliver reliable, sustainable low carbon electricity to businesses, residents and communities.