In response to this worrying statistic, leading campaigners from health and environment organisations have written to the Mayor of London asking him to implement a zero emission zone for freight. Without this level of ambition, we the number of diesel vans in our city will just keep rising.

Instead of judging success by the number of chargers installed, cities should focus on putting charging where it's most effective: ⚡ Workplaces ⚡ Retail & leisure destinations ⚡ Homes/private parking where possible ⚡ Faster chargers that serve more drivers

One key finding: London could reduce the number of new public charge points it needs by more than a quarter. Not by slowing the EV transition, but by planning charging infrastructure more strategically.

How do you prepare a city for the EV transition without filling every street with charge points? That's the question we've been exploring at Clean Cities. Today we've published Taking Charge, our new report on EV charging in London, Paris, Madrid and Warsaw. 🧵

It was also great to hear @pollybillington.bsky.social tell the story of how UK100 got started. Thanks to the whole UK100 team for bringing together such a strong programme and so many people committed to improving air quality and reaching net zero from across the UK.

One discussion that really stood out was with @elpinchbeck.bsky.social, CEO of the Climate Change Committee. As part of the conversation, she pointed out that freight remains behind the rest of the transport sector on electrification.

I also enjoyed closing the event with London Assembly Member @ellybakeram.bsky.social, discussing what's next for transport policy in London. We spoke about how recent and current political change might or might not change things in transport policy, and why collaboration remains essential.

Emma Bayliss-Chan highlighted Royal Mail's work to decarbonise its fleet, while Sela Musa chaired an excellent discussion on the economics of green freight, bringing together researchers and practitioners.

Jens Mueller, Programme Director at @cleancitiescampaign.org outlined lessons from the Netherlands, showing how their zero-emission freight zones have helped accelerate van electrification. A valuable reminder that effective policy drives real change and an idea that London really needs to nick!

Our keynote came from @willnorman.co.uk, London's Walking and Cycling Commissioner. He outlined London's progress on clean air and climate, but was clear that the mission is not finished. He also spoke about the importance of learning from successful approaches in other countries.

A key theme throughout the event: cleaner urban freight requires both collaboration and leadership. Policy, industry and research all have a role to play in reducing emissions while keeping cities moving. But if we want to move at pace to electrify, cities need to be the ones to set out a plan.

Proud to have organised and hosted The Future of Urban Freight: London and Beyond during #LondonClimateActionWeek with our partners at the Sustainable Urban Freight Association. A great discussion bringing together policymakers, industry and civil society to explore the future of urban logistics.

For the first time ever, more than 100,000 diesel vans have been registered by businesses on the capital’s streets, and diesel vans are now the largest transport source of NOx pollution in inner and central London. 1/

I’m at the the Logistics UK (@logisticsuk.bsky.social) conference today, and two ministers and one shadow Secretary of State have spoken. It was very good to hear Kier Mather MP frame decarbonisation and energy security as opportunities to build a stronger future freight sector. But then… 1/

Vans are now the biggest source of road air pollution in central London—and lagging behind cars on decarbonisation. With elections coming up, candidates should act: 1) Use kerbside space for electric-only loading & cargo bike parking 2) Back e-cargo bikes with trials, subsidies & hire schemes.

Car clubs are a key part of London's decarbonised transport future - but what more can London boroughs do to support their expansion? I sat down with CoMoUK's CEO to discuss why incoming councillors should prioritise car clubs, and what they can do to support them. #ElectrifyLondon

Thanks to Leader of Lambeth @clairekholland.bsky.social for welcoming me, alongside @impurbanhealth.bsky.social and @solveschoolrun.bsky.social, to speak her cabinet about Lambeth’s new Air Quality Action Plan today! @rezinachowdhury.bsky.social

Time for cities like London to take action to get these things off our streets!

So lovely to attend the Mayor of London’s annual carol service in Southwark Cathedral last night, with its overarching message of diversity and openness. ❤️🎄@london.gov.uk

Pleased to have a letter published in the Financial Times on Friday, responding to Zipcar’s withdrawal from the UK and what it means for London’s transport and climate ambitions. www.ft.com/content/17d0...

Zipcar UK is closing down. The loss of London’s major car-sharing operator, with a large EV fleet, is deeply concerning. The boroughs, @metecoban92.bsky.social, @sebdance.bsky.social & @sadiqkhanlondon.bsky.social need to do more to support this industry, or net zero is going to be further away.

⚡📮Nice work @royal-mail.bsky.social, who have just announced the launch of a new fleet of over 100 micro electric vehicles, replacing 52 vans. Better for the climate and for deliveries. This is exactly the kind of move we need to see for cities free of diesel vans! #ElectrifyLondon

The Mayor has made changes to the Congestion Charge. Pleased to see the Cleaner Vehicle Discount will continue to incentivise the uptake of greener electric vans, but small businesses and charities need more support to go electric, not new charges. #ElectrifyLondon

Last week I spent an inspiring 5 days with my @cleancitiescampaign.org colleagues from across Europe. My main takeaway - my colleagues are cooler than yours ❤️

We also had panel discussions on to help Londoners access EVs, through better charging and electric car clubs; and on how we decarbonise commercial fleets with electric trucks and vans, cargo bikes, and all the cool tech in the middle. 3/

Other highlights from the morning: ⚡ TfL’s launching their new EV Infrastructure Strategy 🚗CoMoUK’s call for better support for electric car clubs 🇳🇱Our presentation on the success of Dutch ZEZ-f 🏙️An overview of how we might deliver zero-emissions zones for freight in LDN. 2/

Electrifying London’s transport must be a shared mission, so this week we brought key players together at our #ElectrifyLondon Summit. Thanks to @metecoban92.bsky.social for his brilliant keynote speech on ensuring electrification of transport is at the heart of a just transition for London! 1/

NEW ANALYSIS: Dutch truck/van focused zero-emission zones (ZEZ-f) are working! Brand new @cleancitiescampaign.org research has found that they're driving a transition to electric fleets in the Netherlands. Read the full report here: cleancitiescampaign.org/research-lis...

I didn’t know Range Rovers came with a special permit that allows you to park on the pavement, on white zig-zags, with your engine idling - outside a primary school! Quite the perk! #carspreading

One lane of vans stuck in traffic. One lane of cargo bikes flowing freely. This photo powerfully shows the potential of cargo bikes in our cities. (📷: Honor Elliott)