North East to be electric car leader

The UK has shown a clear commitment to the development of electric cars – but those expecting London to be the focal point of this motoring revolution might be in for a surprise.In fact, it is the North East that is emerging as the UK’s electric car capital with plans to install up to 1,000 charging points around Newcastle and Gateshead over the next two years. It will begin with a pilot phase during which 40 charging points will be installed in the coming months by public buildings and shops, as well as in car parks and on the kerbside.The project was launched by Transport Secretary Lord Adonis who indicated that he wanted other regions to follow suit. He described electric and plug-in hybrid cars as a “vital part” of the UK’s low carbon strategy and said that it is vital that Britain leads the way in the take-up of these cars.Earlier in the week, the Committee on Climate Change outlined that Britain would need two million electric cars on the road by 2020 in order to meet its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. Currently, around 22 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions come from transport with around 13 per cent coming from the use of private cars.A study by the Department for Transport has suggested that widespread adoption of electric cars could cut road transport emissions in half and now Lord Adonis plans to invite towns and cities to put in bids to develop electric car infrastructure.

No Comments Yet