A London assembly member has called on Sadiq Khan to “spearhead the shift to electric vehicles” in the capital.

A report by the London assembly environment committee found that the growth in electric vehicles in London is now outstripping the number of charging points available to them.

The charging point database, Map, showed that the number of charging points in London grew by 17 per cent from 2017 to 2018.

According to the Department of Transport there are 12,000 electric vehicles registered in London which is ten times as many as in 2012.

The Electric Vehicles report said that if the number of vehicle charging points does not grow then it could limit the number of people owning electric vehicles in London.

London assembly member and former chairman of the environment committee, Leonie Cooper, said: “The time is ripe for London to take charge, if we want to future proof this city for an electric car revolution. The Mayor has a key role to play in spearheading the shift to electric vehicles, preferably not individually owned but shared via car clubs.

“An electric vehicle is a great option for Londoners in the minority of cases when a journey can’t be done by public transport, walking or cycling. These cars are cleaner, quieter and much better for the environment. What puts people off though, is not knowing whether they will be able to find a charger.

Mr Khan has already committed £4.5 million from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) to install 1,500 charging points across London.

But currently 62 per cent of all rapid chargers are reserved for black cabs only.

Ms Cooper added: “We need to get the number and location of charging points right, as well as raise awareness of charging points in the capital. This infrastructure is essential if London is to continue the electric vehicles revolution.”

The report recommended that the mayor adopt a pan-London approach to electric vehicles and in the short-term make parking for electric vehicles free to make people more likely to use electric vehicle.

The report also recommended offering TfL funding to install electric charging points where private sector investment is not happening quickly enough.