Mayor Boris Johnson's aim to make London the electric car capital of Europe seems doomed after he slashed funding to the scheme.

Is it a smart move in austere times or another blow to Johnson's green credentials?

The Mayor will now contribute £7m (down from £20m) to a £60m project to put 100,000 green vehicles and 25,000 charging points on the capitals streets.

His City Hall team may argue that Londoners may not even want the green scheme.

There are 1,800 electric vehicles registered in London (all of which are exempt from the £8 Congestion Charge) maing up 25 per cent of the UK total and currently there are only 250 charge points.

Last month it was reveled that a £100,000 Transport for London electric car pilot in Haringey attached just one user.

Johnson hopes the private sector will make up the £53m shortfall. Sponsorship similar to the £25m deal by Barclays for the cycle hire scheme is being touted.

London currently suffers from the worst air quality in Europe and according to the Mayor electric cars "will deliver considerable benefits to the environment by improving air quality, cutting emissions and reducing noise pollution." What now? 

Friends of the Earth say the mayor made "big noises" about this project and "must now make sure that funding is found to keep the plan alive."

The Taxpayers' Alliance say TfL and the Mayor were getting carried away by the novelty value of electric vehicles.

Campaign manager Emma Boon said:

"Londoners have paid for these charging points that clearly aren't wanted or needed. Frustrated commuters who are frequently let down by TfL's poor services will be maddened to hear of this."

This weeks Underground strikes have jarred commuters minds - it's about the Tube, stupid.

Johnson snared a commitment for £9.3m from the last Government and £7.6m from other organisations to install 2,000 charge points, TfL ready funds over half the points in London. Several million to go.