Bellway provides electric vehicle charging for all homes at two new developments

A homebuilder that is constructing more than 900 homes across three developments in Ebbsfleet Garden City in Kent is making it easier for homebuyers to have an electric car.

Bellway, which is building 233 new homes at Ebbsfleet Cross at Garden City, off Tiltman Avenue in Greenhithe, 182 properties at Alkerden Heights, off Castle Hill, Ebbsfleet, and a further 532 homes at Harbour Village in Northfleet, is providing electric vehicle charging points for almost all these homes, so that new residents are already set up to keep and charge an electric vehicle at home.

Being able to charge an electric vehicle is rising up the priority list for house-hunters in the area, with the planned extension of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) this summer. From 29 August the zone is set to increase from the existing area within the North and South Circular Roads to cover all London boroughs, in a bid to reduce air pollution and improve public health.

Under the rules, vehicles that don’t meet the ULEZ emissions standard generally older petrol or diesel models incur a £12.50 charge for every day they are driven in the zone. The penalty charge for failing to pay is £180 (this is halved for payment within 14 days).

Emma Hamlett, sales director for Bellway Thames Gateway, which is building homes at Ebbsfleet Cross at Garden City and Harbour Village, said: “While the expansion of the ULEZ zone does not come as far as Ebbsfleet, we are finding that many of our customers here are still considering the impact of the changes for them.

“With a wider area around the capital being included in the zone, people living in Ebbsfleet may find that journeys into London that they used to do without incurring a charge will now cost them £12.50 a day, if their vehicle does not meet the emission standards.

“More and more customers have got or are looking to get an electric vehicle, so we are glad to be able to tell them that if they purchase a property here, it will be straight-forward for them to charge it at home.”

Mark Harrop, sales director at Bellway Kent, which is building homes at Alkerden Heights, said: “We realise that it’s not necessarily an option for everyone to buy an electric vehicle, so as well as the provision of electric vehicle charging points, alternative sustainable travel options are a key element of our vision for the new homes we’re building.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

• Add me on LinkedIn and Twitter to keep up to date
• And follow Bdaily on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn
• Submit press releases to editor@bdaily.co.uk for consideration.