‘Decision puts region on electric highway’

Mar 19 2010 Edmund King, The Journal

THE North East was already beginning to establish itself as the leading region in the electric car revolution.

The decision by Nissan, supported by the Government, to manufacture the Leaf in Sunderland, means that the revolution can become a reality.

The AA welcomes the decision to safeguard and boost motor manufacturing jobs and to help promote low carbon motor manufacturing in the North East. This is great news for the region.

In the future we will have a mix of lower carbon vehicles from more fuel-efficient combustion engines, through to electric cars, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. This decision means that the North East will be leading the charge of the electric car brigade.

I am working with Newcastle University and One North East to help promote the North East as one of the “Plugged-in Places” for electric vehicles. This decision will help to focus consumers on the electric dream becoming a reality. AA research suggests that drivers are now concerned about the environment and will be willing to consider low carbon cars if they are affordable, practical and stylish.

The Nissan Leaf is not only significant in that it will be built in the North East but it is significant in that it will be the first mainstream family car run on electricity. For many people, their first encounter with an electric vehicle was a milk float or a basic quadricycle. Although ideal for nipping into the city centre from the suburbs, drivers need real cars for longer trips or even the weekly shop.

This should be a car that people will want to drive and which broadly resembles a “normal” car. Government grants (of up to £5,000) should also help make the Leaf more affordable.

There will still be issues, such as the five minutes it takes to fill up a conventional car at the pumps versus five hours to charge an electric car. Even with a 100-mile range some drivers will still suffer from “range anxiety”.

We will remain reliant on petrol and diesel for many years but depleting oil supplies and increasing demand mean now is the time to develop a good, sustainable, alternative and get drivers used to a completely different method of propulsion and use of vehicles. In some families, the electric vehicle may become the second car. We’ll also need a change in attitude among drivers. We might have to alter the way we choose a car. At the moment, many base their selection on the need to drive for the summer holiday with lots of passengers and luggage. In terms of electric vehicles, a smaller car for general use will be more suitable and a conventional diesel-powered vehicle could be hired for holidays.

I am delighted that the production of the Leaf in the North East will complement the Plugged-in Places funding for the essential charging infrastructure. This announcement will create more jobs, more investment and truly put the North East on the electric highway.

Prof Edmund King is president of the AA and a Visiting Professor at Newcastle University