Mitsubishi
Tata
smart
micro:cab
Landrover
Halo IPT
Electric car drivers in Coventry and Birmingham taking part in the CABLED low carbon vehicle project can now use a new network of easy-access charge points.
cabled.org.uk/charging-locations
The network of charging points has been installed by E.ON as the latest milestone in the UK’s largest low carbon vehicle trial, a 12 month public test of 110 vehicles.
The two cities have joined together today (Tuesday 29th June), with a convoy of eco-cars travelling between the two to officially launch the latest stage of the Midlands journey to low-carbon motoring.
A number of electric vehicles including Mitsubishi, Tata and Modec will be making the 20 mile journey between two sets of charging points installed in convenient city centre streets – from Margaret Street in Birmingham to Croft Road, Coventry.
Neil Butcher of Arup, project leader of the CABLED consortium said "Installation of public charging points is an essential part of the overall CABLED programme. Their availability will increase drivers’ confidence to use their cars for longer journeys. By monitoring usage of these points, we can gain vital insights on how many points will be needed and where we should install them, and hence prepare for the future mass introduction of electric vehicles."
Charles Bradshaw-Smith, Head of Innovation at E.ON – and himself a participant in the CABLED project – said "Coventry and Birmingham were the birthplace of the British car industry and it’s great that these two cities are now leading the way in bringing low-carbon motoring to our streets.
"Electric cars are perfect for commutes to work and for shopping trips to town – and we're proud to help make eco-driving even easier by being the energy behind these charging points.
"Today’s event shows that electric vehicles are a genuine alternative to petrol and diesel cars – I speak as someone who has driven 7,000 commuting miles in my electric vehicle.
Councillor Linda Bigham, cabinet member for City Development at Coventry City Council, said: "This is a big step forward in the initiative to reduce harmful carbon emissions and encourage people and businesses to use electric vehicles. There are seven charging points in Coventry which are now ready to use with more planned in the future for domestic vehicles.
Coventry City Council has purchased 45 electric vehicles as part of an ongoing programme to replace its fleet vehicles. These will be in use from September, and more are planned in the years ahead. These vehicles will produce fuel savings of almost 20 per cent, whilst also reducing carbon emissions by 20 per cent."
Cllr Paul Tilsley, Deputy Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: "As a city with a rich motoring heritage, our challenge for the future is to be at the forefront of low-carbon vehicle technology - and the development of a charging point network for the CABLED initiative is a vital step towards this goal.
"Last year we drew up the Birmingham Declaration on Climate Change in which we committed to only buy electric or LPG vehicles by 2015. That is why we are delighted to be working with partners to deliver the infrastructure that will underpin this."
Led by Arup, CABLED is the largest of eight consortia from across the UK to participate in the £25m Technology Strategy Board’s Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator competition as well as being the first to begin vehicle trials. Data is being collected and analysed by Aston University. Regional Development Agency Advantage West Midlands has supported the CABLED consortium from the start and has invested £2.5m in the project, ensuring the region’s participation in the competition.
Electric car drivers in Coventry and Birmingham, taking part in the CABLED project, have to date reduced their driving CO2 emissions by one third. The CABLED project is the UK’s largest public study into low carbon vehicles and is due to complete in the summer of 2012. The results will help shape and support future decisions around low carbon transport and infrastructure planning in the West Midlands and nationwide.
During August Brindley Place are offering electric vehicle users free parking when they are using one of the four electric car charging points to charge their vehicles. These are located on the 5th floor of the multi-storey car park.
Having collated and analysed a full 12 months of data from electric vehicle (EV) users, CABLED - the UK’s largest study into long-term low carbon vehicle use - reveals:
All of the CABLED vehicles are now on the roads. Most of the vehicles were handed over to users to begin their trials in March and have been generating data for 3 months.
An application form for access to the public charging points for electric vehicle owners who are not part of the CABLED trial is now available here
Tuesday 6th July, 2010– Today saw the first Birmingham consumers take delivery of their smart fortwo electric drives, as part of the UK’s biggest electric vehicle trials managed by the West Midlands CABLED consortium.
