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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 your may be liable for any resulting damage or injury.
We do not currently permit the installation of pavement gullies to accommodate charging cables, but we are aware of trials taking place and are monitoring the outcome for future consideration.
Find a charge point
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.
The following types of electric vehicle (EV) charge point are currently available on-street in Merton:
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.
Source London
There are 143 Source London slow to fast chargers (3kw, 7kw and 22kw) on-street in high street and residential locations 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 chargers provide slow charging (3-5 kW) which usually takes between 6 and 12 hours to charge. This type of charger is located in residential areas and intended for the use of local residents when parking near to their home for longer periods. We installed 90 lamp column chargers around the borough in 2021, operated by Char.gy and SureCharge.
We are planning to install at least 350 additional lamp column chargers by early 2023. The locations for charge points are currently being finalised and will be published on this webpage when available.
Locations are identified using data on existing requests from residents and an assessment of likely future demand based on the availability of off street parking in a street/ area. There are several criteria when selecting suitable locations for lamp column chargers including whether the lamp column meets structural and electrical safety requirements. The lamp column needs to be located at the front of the footway so charging equipment does not impede pedestrian movements and adjacent to an existing marked parking bay or location where it is safe to park.
Request a new charging point
You can request a new charge point near you if you're a Merton resident or business without off-street parking and you own or intend to purchase an electric vehicle (EV). Please email ElectricVehicles@merton.gov.uk and provide your full home address including postcode and any suggested location for the charge point. Also indicate if you are a Blue Badge holder or taxi driver and any other information relevant to your requirements.
Due to the large volume of requests, we regret that we are not able to provide individual responses but will add all requests to a list for consideration when planning new locations.
Where possible, we will aim to provide a charge point within a short distance of the request, usually in the same street, but it may not be possible to install a charge point directly outside the property that made the request.
The existing lamp column charge points do not have dedicated “EV only” parking bays, but we will consider installing these in locations where EV users regularly experience problems accessing the charge points. Please email ElectricVehicles@merton.gov.uk to request conversion to EV only bay.
Future improvements
To enable the switch to electric vehicles (EVs), we support the delivery of a public network of EV charging points across the borough. By 2023, we will develop 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 over the coming decade to meet the growth in EVs.
Our sustainable transport strategy supports a transition to electric vehicles, which will particularly contribute towards improving local air quality, reducing traffic noise and reducing CO2 emissions.