17 May 2010
Eastern Daily PressA bid for a share of a £30m pot of government cash to help transform Norwich into an electric car city is being prepared, with backing from major players including the Hethel Engineering Centre and the University of East Anglia.
Future Transport Systems and the East of England Development Agency (Eeda) are spearheading a regional proposal to the Plugged in Places scheme, which provides match-funding to develop recharging infrastructure for electric and plug in hybrid vehicles.
It is hoped that if the bid is successful, Norwich could become one of the first cities in the country to embrace the new technology with the potential for recharging posts to be installed on appropriate streets, in car parks and at various other sites.
David Taitt, chairman of Hethel Engineering Centre said: “Cleaner transport technology is becoming a great opportunity for the region's and national businesses.
“We are delighted to support the Plugged in Places, Future Transport System program, as so many of the businesses HEC supports through its unique offerings are innovators and technology developers at the leading edge in this sector.”
The government money, from the office of low emission vehicles, covers two rounds of funding, the first of which has been decided with three of the 10 bids successfully securing £8.2m between them.
Round two will end in September with those intending to bid needing to register an interest by June.
Speaking on behalf of the Low Carbon Innovation Centre, home of the CRed programme, which is based at the University of East Anglia, Marcus Armes said: “Last year we had a local student undertake a scoping study of the potential for electric vehicles in the Norwich area, which received a very positive response from the Norfolk businesses and individuals. Therefore we are delighted that EEDA has decided to put in a bid to the government's Plugged in Places Scheme, as our early work was in large part designed to promote such action from local government.”
In the east of England, transport contributes almost 20pc of all carbon emitted, with private vehicles accounting for the largest percentage.
An event was recently held at Hethel Engineering Centre, organised by Future Transport Systems, to bring together leading decision makers keen to be involved in the project.
Delegates were able to view and test drive two vehicles, including the brand new eBipper van.
The eBipper, with a range of 80 miles and a top speed of 60 mph, is officially launched at the Commercial Vehicle Operator show at the NEC in Birmingham next week.
Future Transport Systems are looking for more organisations to get involved in the Plugged in Places bid. Companies can find out more by emailing info@futuretransportsystems.co.uk.
Credit: Tara Greaves