22 March 2011
The region's role as a hub for electric vehicles received a major boost this week when Peugeot held the press launch of its first 100% electric vehicle in Stockton.
Simon Bailes Peugeot was last year appointed as the first Peugeot dealership in the UK to start taking orders for the iOn, a four-seat electric car with low running costs and no emissions, designed to a high specification with outstanding safety standards. In addition, Simon Bailes' Northallerton dealership has become the first public place in North Yorkshire to have an electric vehicle charging point installed.
As one of the UK's most successful dealerships, Peugeot chose Simon Bailes' Stockton branch for its launch. In addition, bosses at the global company decided the town was the best location for the prestigious event because of the area's and Simon's commitment to the development of an electric vehicle charging infrastructure and Simon Bailes' key role in the North-east's Plugged-in Places scheme and Switch EV schemes.
As part of Switch EV, the project that will see 49 electric vehicles on trial across the North East, Simon is providing 20 iOns which will be leased to organisations, councils, car clubs and individuals across the region, providing real life experience of living with an electric car.
Switch EV is one of only eight projects across the UK to have won funding through the Technology Strategy Board's Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator Program.
The iOn launch event gave guests the chance to test-drive the iOn and find out more about low and zero carbon driving technology. Key speakers on the day included Josey Wardle, the North East Plugged-in Places manager; Liz Gray from Switch EV; and Ian Sedgwick, a product specialist from Peugeot UK.
Simon Bailes said: "Simon Bailes Peugeot is a proud partner of Plugged-in Places and Switch EV and I am passionate about ensuring that the North East and Peugeot are at the forefront of such an important scheme. This is another major coup for Teesside as more people move further towards using electric vehicles as part of their daily lives.
"Globally, Peugeot is constantly striving to be a leader in eco-driving and we've embraced the development of electric vehicles for many years. It's now very exciting to see all the plans coming together and for Peugeot to have chosen Stockton as a launch-pad."
Josey Wardle, North-east Plugged-in Places manager said: "The backing we have received from regional partners shows just how much enthusiasm there is in the North-east to grasp the opportunities available in the low carbon vehicle sector.
"We are fortunate to have such forward-thinking businesses like Simon Bailes Peugeot which has been quick to recognise the immense potential offered by this industry. This is a clear demonstration of Peugeot recognising the North East's growing reputation in the field of EV development and I would like to thank them and Simon Bailes for choosing Stockton to launch the iOn."
John Austin, program manager for Switch EV said: "We are delighted that Simon Bailes has joined the Switch EV consortium and bringing an additional 20 electric vehicles will be a major boost to the trial. Through their involvement, we will be able to significantly increase the number of organisations and families able to access an electric vehicle. This will be one of the UK's largest passenger vehicle trials and will provide very valuable data."