Thursday, 25th February 2010
LONDON is to get an electric car boost next year when thousands of re-charge points are installed as part of a drive to "de-carbonise transport", as the government puts it.
New electric cars including the Nissan LEAF (pictured) and the Renault ZE are set to become a more common sight and the plan is to have the back-up in place to keep them running.
"Decarbonising transport isn't an aspiration; it's a reality," said Transport Minister Lord Adonis.
"By this time next year, cutting edge motorists will be on the roads with these next generation cars. Thanks to the Plugged-In Places we will have in place infrastructure to support this growing early market."
The re-charge points will be plonked in carparks, near major shopping malls and on tactically chosen streets. Times for re-charging an electric car vary, but half an hour would see some models pepped up to at least 50% capacity.
The idea is you can do the supermarket run while your car enjoys a leccy-livener.
Three areas of the UK – London, Milton Keynes and the north-east – are getting first dibs at the Plugged-In Places scheme at a cost of £30M, with other towns and cities to follow.
In a linked move, the government is also to subsidise the cost of buying electric cars with up to £5,000 thrown the way of buyers, or about a quarter of the cost of a Nissan LEAF. Electric cars are already exempt from the Congestion Charge.
Post new comment