Access to charging network ‘key’ to electric vehicle uptake

Transport Minister Norman Baker says access to charging points at home and work will ‘build the case’ for shift to electric vehicles, writes Will Date.

Access to charging points for low emission electric vehicles at workplaces and in the home will be crucial to encourage more motorists to switch from petrol fuelled cars, according to Transport Minister Norman Baker.

Mr Baker praised the Source East team for making impressive progress

The Minister was addressing delegates via video at an Electric Vehicle demonstration at Adastral Park, Suffolk last month where he praised the Source East project, which has received public funding to establish a network of charging points in the east of the country.

The project aims to see charging points set up within 25 miles of all businesses and residents within the east, with a network totalling 1,200 points. Source East currently has 195 active charging bays, with a further 88 under construction.

In his speech to delegates, Mr Baker, said: “The Source East team have made impressive progress, with partners in the public and private sector, to get this bedded in around the East of England.

“Access to workplace charge points helps to build the case for people moving to the Electric Vehicle option and I fully expect that your lead will encourage other companies to follow.

“Another welcome development is Source East and Green Energy UK’s announcement of their new partnership — which gives Source East members access to discounted green energy for home charging over night.”

Partnership

Under the partnership, energy provider Green Energy UK, based in Hertfordshire, will be offering members of the Source East charging network discounts on energy from renewable sources including solar, wind, hydro and biomass electricity generation, to charge their electric vehicles.

Mr Baker praised the initiative, and said that fuelling from home could become ‘routine’ for many drivers and help to cut carbon emissions, as well as creating green jobs.

He said: “For many Electric Vehicle drivers, that is going to be the routine — delivering major savings on running costs and freedom from fuel forecourt queuing.

“This is a time of innovation and ground-breaking technology development — much of it happening here in the UK. It is giving motorists great new driving opportunities — which will as well help put a significant dent in our carbon emissions and create new opportunities for economic growth.”

The Minister reaffirmed the government’s support for low emission vehicles, and pointed to the government’s pledge to provide over £400 million of funding to support measures designed to promote uptake of the technology, administered through the Office for Low Emission Vehicles, as proof of its commitment.