Driving change: every new home will have an electric car charging point as London's green agenda steps up a gear

Electric cars are on track to become as ubiquitous as the internet, according to transport minister Andrew Jones, who points out that sales of low-emission vehicles hit 28,188 last year — double the number sold in 2014 and more than the previous five years combined. “The shift we are seeing reminds me of the spread of the internet in the Nineties,” he says. “It started small but snowballed, and now it’s hard to imagine being without it.”

Seeing the trend, city planners are encouraging developers to install electric car charging points as part of the green building agenda. In future, every new home is likely to have one, or at least access to one on site.

Developers are now providing designated bays and charging points for electric cars, allowing residents to “refuel” via a smart meter, rather than having to rely on a remote community charging point.

At Lawrence Square, Tottenham, every townhouse has a parking bay with a charging point. Live-work homes with a self-contained office are also for sale. Prices from £599,995. Call Bellway (0333 202 5175).

Brunswick Square, in Orpington, is a redevelopment of the former town centre police station, and here, too, residents have access to charging points. Prices from £370,000. Call Berkeley Homes on 01689 669066. Acton Gardens, minutes from Chiswick, is another “electric” development, a 2,500-home neighbourhood built around squares, courtyards, parks and play areas.

The latest phase includes Uberhaus homes — split-level properties linked by an external as well as an internal stairway, allowing for a sunken patio and first-floor terrace. Two-bedroom flats cost from £515,000. Call 020 8993 6923.