Syon Park has just seen 14 new electric vehicle charging points installed, which the company says "addresses the lack of rapid chargers in the capital".

InstaVolt, who describe themselves as the UK's leading rapid charging network, has launched the chargers as part of a new 'superhub'.

The company chose Syon Park for its position "along a main commuter artery, the A316".

InstaVolt is keen for the new chargers to encourage more black cab drivers to go electric, with nearly 60% of the capital's fleet currently made up of electric taxis.

The Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association, which represents the majority of black cab drivers in London, wants the government to reduce VAT on public charging to 5% to help speed up the transition to zero emission vehicles.

Since 2018, all taxis licensed for the first time have had to be zero emission to help meet the London Mayor's ambition for a net zero-carbon city by 2030.

The charging company is offering a 15% discount across all its London charging hubs "as a sign of solidarity" with cabbies, which reduces the cost as if VAT was changed to the target 5%.

From left to right: Transport campaigner and original Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson, General Secretary of the London Taxi Drivers Association Steve McNamara, and InstaVolt's CCO Simon Smith (Photo: InstaVolt)

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Steve McNamara, General Secretary of the LTDA, said: "Well over half of London's black cabs are now electric but the shortage of rapid public charging points and rising cost of charging remain barriers to wider uptake of electric taxis. 

"Reducing the VAT on public charging, bringing it into line with home chargers, would help level the playing field for those drivers unable to charge at home as well as supporting drivers with mounting operating costs."