Responding to the Mayor’s announcement that he will set up an electric vehicles taskforce, Ben Rogers, Director at Centre for London said:

“This Taskforce must recognise that electric vehicles are no panacea for tackling air pollution, or even more so, congestion.

“Once established, the Taskforce should put pressure on the government to invest in R&D so that we can deepen understanding of the polluting aspects of electric vehicles and prepare our cities for the future.

“But let’s not lose sight of the fact that we need to get Londoners out of their cars, not into less polluting vehicles, and encourage walking, cycling and public transport.”

Notes:

Centre for London is holding a conference, Under Pressure, produced in partnership with Transport for London on Wednesday July 4. Under Pressure will explore the future of mobility and place in London, and consider the practical implications of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy.