Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis today officially launched the NewcastleGateshead Advanced Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Programme.
The Transport Secretary visited Newcastle Civic Centre to inspect the first of 40 charging points for electric vehicles that will be installed on Tyneside in the coming weeks and months in a range of locations, such as public buildings, retail centres and on the roadside.
Regional Development Agency One North East has just installed two charging posts in its head office car park in Newcastle and is currently awaiting delivery of a further 29 posts, which will be installed by Newcastle Council.
This pilot is the first phase of a comprehensive charging infrastructure across North East England, which is becoming established as a world-leading location for the development and demonstration of electric vehicles and contains the UK’s first Low Carbon Economic Area for Ultra Low Carbon Vehicles.
Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said: “As the UK's first Low Carbon Economic Area focused on ultra low carbon vehicles, the North East has a real opportunity to lead the way in the low-carbon revolution. I want other regions to take their lead from the North East, who are addressing all aspects of the electric vehicle jigsaw, to make the electric car a real option for motorists.
"The UK can be a world leader in low carbon transport which is why the Government has already committed around £400 million of support to encourage development and uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles. This includes consumer incentives of £2,000-£5,000, support for charging infrastructure and demonstration programmes across the country, including here in the North East."
The investment will provide the practical experience and data to enable city planners and utility companies around the world to design appropriate infrastructure. It will help provide UK leadership in this important new industry, as well as to facilitate the rapid introduction of low carbon vehicles.
In the coming months the infrastructure will be used for major vehicle trials by CENEX, the UK’s low carbon vehicle centre of excellence; the Department for Transport’s Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme, and the Technology Strategy Board’s Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator project. These will involve electric commercial and passenger vehicles including the Nissan Leaf and Smith Electric Vehicles’ new people carriers, executive minibus and taxis.
This Advanced Pilot will be the first stage of the installation of 750 charging points across the region in the coming two years, with vehicle trials scheduled to move to the Tees Valley in 2010. This programme is boosted by the One North East-led collaboration of major private-sector companies including Tesco, British Gas, CE Electric, the AA and Capital Shopping Centres which are providing high-profile locations for charging points, along with technical advice and promotional work.
In addition to this infrastructure work, the Energy Technologies Institute last month announced an £11m research project looking at electric vehicle charging infrastructure. As part of this project the institute will be working with nine ‘Joined Cities', three of which are in North East England - Newcastle, Sunderland and Middlesbrough..
Andrew Adonis was shown a range of electric vehicles and will be joined by Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of One North East, and Newcastle City Council leader John Shipley.
Newcastle Council and Gateshead Council are among the country’s most forward-thinking on electric vehicles. Newcastle Council is already operating an electric tipper truck in the city centre and its Eco Schools project is using an electric minibus to spread the message among tomorrow’s drivers. Newcastle and Gateshead Councils have also been chosen to be part of a Government programme from which they receive subsidies to replace vehicles in their fleet with like-for-like electric versions.
One North East Chief Executive Alan Clarke said: “North East England is already at the heart of European electric vehicle development, and One North East is developing a charging infrastructure which will become an international blueprint.
“We were delighted to welcome the Transport Secretary to the region. The network of charging points in North East England will help us convince drivers that electric vehicles are not a futuristic vision. The low carbon vehicle sector is rapidly becoming a genuinely realistic alternative to traditional transport and is already creating green-collar jobs in our region.”
Leader of Newcastle City Council, Coun John Shipley, said: “Newcastle is committed to minimising pollution and reducing the impact of climate change. We have signed up to the 10:10 carbon reduction campaign as a statement of our resolve.
“We also want our economy to grow and create new jobs. Electric cars show it is possible to do both, and we are determined to be at the forefront of this new industry as a council and as a city.”
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