500 electric car charge posts for Midlands
The Midlands is to be one of the first places in the country to feature power outlets which electric vehicles can use to recharge. Charge posts are set to feature in Coventry, Birmingham, Worcester, Malvern, Corby, Northampton and the three cities region of Leicester, Nottingham and Derby.
Cenex – the UK’s "centre of excellence for low carbon vehicle technologies" is leading a consortium of Midlands businesses and local authorities on the project. It has secured £2.9m of funding from the government to support a £6.3m programme to install more than 500 charge posts in locations such as shopping centres and railway stations across the East and West Midlands.
It will be project managed by Cenex and Central Technology Belt, with more than 50 organisations participating in the project. Lead partners include E.ON, Central Networks, Birmingham City Council, Coventry City Council, Leicester City Council and Nottingham City Council.
The first phase of the project will take place from 2011 to 2013 and will focus on areas in Coventry, Birmingham, Worcester, Malvern, Corby, Northampton and the three cities region of Leicester, Nottingham and Derby.
Robert Evans, CEO of Cenex, said: “We are very pleased to have led a successful bid against stiff competition from other regions. We are looking forward to working with businesses and local authorities across the Midlands to roll out charge posts to help support the first wave of electric vehicle sales.”
The government’s also unveiled a 'Plug-In-Car Grant' of up to £5,000 per car for a new wave of electric vehicles to be launched in 2011.
The Midlands competed with 11 other bidders and was one of five bids selected.
Transport secretary Philip Hammond said: "A few years ago, ultra-low emission cars with mass market appeal appeared just a pipe dream. Now they are a reality and we can have all the convenience of the car without the carbon that normally goes with it.
"Government action to support affordable vehicles and more local charging points means we are on the threshold of an exciting green revolution - 2011 could be remembered as the year the electric car took off."
