Running cables over pavements

We advise you not to run charging cables over the pavement between your vehicle and your home, even using cable protector. It is illegal to cause an obstruction on roads, pavements and footpaths and you may be liable for any resulting damage or injury.

We do not currently permit the installation of pavement channels or gullies to accommodate charging cables. We are aware of trials taking place and are monitoring the outcome for future consideration in developing a policy on the use of cable channels.

Find a charge point

To enable the switch to electric vehicles (EVs), we support the delivery of a public network of EV charging points (EVCPs) across the borough.

Zapmap shows the locations and types of public charge point available in Merton and provides links to further information on current pricing and guidance on registration and use for each operator.

Zap-Map: find a charging point

Prices for public EV charge points

The operator of the EVCP charges a fee to customers, usually based on a price per kilowatt hour. This covers the cost of any electricity used as well as the operational costs for managing and maintaining the chargepoints. Fees for public EVCPs are also subject to VAT at 20%.

The recent market volatility in energy prices, has resulted in significant increases in the unit price of electricity. As a result, many chargepoint operators have had to increase fees to customers to cover the increased cost of electricity.

Rapid chargers (50kw +)

These typically charge an electric vehicle to 80% in around 30 minutes. Merton has 6 on-street rapid chargers operated by ESB and BP Pulse at locations including Wimbledon Broadway and the A24 at Colliers Wood and Morden. There are additional rapid chargers available to for public use within some retail and supermarket car parks.

We are currently working with partners including TfL and neighbouring boroughs to investigate options to increase the number of rapid charge points in Merton.

Source London

There are 143 Source London slow to fast chargers (3kW, 7kW and 22kW) located on-street in high streets and residential areas throughout the borough. A 7kW charger can usually provide a full charge in 3-5hours, and a 22kW unit could complete a charge much faster. Source London offers discounts for taxi drivers and Merton residents with an EV parking permit.

Lamp column charging points

Lamp column charge points are intended mainly for the use of local residents who do not have access to their own off-street parking or EV charging facilities. These type of charge points provide slow charging (approx 5 kW) which is suitable for residents to charge when parking near their home overnight or for long periods.

We installed 90 lamp column chargers around the borough in 2021, operated by Char.gy and SureCharge.

In 2023 we completed a project to install 530 additional  Char.gy lamp column chargers, which increased the availability and density of residential chargepoints in many parts of the borough. However, during the surveying process issues were identified with a significant proportion of existing lamp columns in the borough that meant they were unsuitable for the installation of chargepoints. As a result, there are still significant gaps in network provision for slow residential charging affecting substantial areas of the borough, particularly around Mitcham and Morden.

To address this, we are currently developing a future project to upgrade lamp columns in the affected areas to enable additional chargepoints to be installed. Project planning and procurement will take place throughout 2024 with installation of new chargepoints anticipated to start in early 2025.

We are also currently delivering a project to install dedicated “EV only” parking bays for some of the lamp column chargepoints, particularly where EV users regularly experience problems accessing the charge points. For more information please visit Consultation on electric vehicle-only parking bays or email ElectricVehicles@merton.gov.uk to request the creation of an EV only bay for an existing lamp column chargepoint.

Future improvements

We are currently developing a detailed EV charging strategy which will set out how we will deliver the increased amount and type of charging facilities that will be required up to accommodate the projected growth in EVs.

Merton has been allocated Government funding via the LEVI scheme, as part of a partnership with London Boroughs of Wandsworth and Richmond. The project will aim to deliver a mix of types of on-street charging infrastructure across the boroughs including fast (22kw) and rapid (50kw+) charge points. The project will also upgrade existing lamp columns to enable residential chargepoints to be installed in areas where there are currently gaps in provision. Project planning and procurement will take place throughout 2024 with installation of new chargepoints anticipated to start in early 2025.

Contact us

If you have any comments on existing EV infrastructure please email ElectricVehicles@merton.gov.uk. Due to the large volume of requests, we regret that we are not able to provide individual responses. If you are emailing to report a problem with an existing chargepoint, please contact the relevant operator directly.

If you wish to request an on-street charging points, please be aware that there are currently no live projects to install additional charging points in Merton. Future projects are being developed for additional residential and rapid chargepoints around the borough, but any new installations are not expected to start until early 2025. If you would like your request or comments to be logged for consideration when planning future charging infrastructure, please email ElectricVehicles@merton.gov.uk  and include your home address and postcode or suggested location.