Green machines will put North in the driving seat
Jul 21 2009 by Peter McCusker, The Journal
The global market for low-carbon vehicles is potentially worth of billions of pounds, and the North East is leading the charge to be at its centre. Peter McCusker reports.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown emphasised that point when he said: “The North East led the way with the transport and industrial revolutions and now it is leading the low-carbon revolution of the future.”
Tony Sarginson, spokesman for manufacturers organisation the EEF in the North East, said: “This is really welcome news for North East manufacturers. Not only is this good news for Nissan, but it also opens the way for our other regionally-based manufacturers to diversify and to create a supply chain to support these new and emerging technologies.”
LCEAs were introduced in the Government’s Low Carbon Industrial Strategy last week, with the first based in the South West of England, specialising in wave and tidal technology.
They aim to draw together national, local and regional agencies to focus support on accelerating the growth of low-carbon industries, a skills base and a supply chain. As part of the North East LCEA, which will be centred in south Tyneside and east Durham, the Government intends to establish:
A training centre – the first to specialise in the manufacture and maintenance of ultra-low carbon vehicles.
A research and development centre – serving as a home for research from all five local universities, bringing together research in ultra-low carbon vehicle technology and use.
An open access test track to trial the use of new technologies.
One North East is also looking at options to reopen all or part of the Leamside rail line, which would help improve access to the Port of Tyne.
Over the next two years, 750 charging points will be installed in a range of locations in the North East. The first points are currently being installed in Newcastle and Gateshead.
The push towards greener vehicles has seen the Government in discussions with companies such as the AA to decide how best to update skills to keep up with the growing use of ultra-low carbon vehicles.
Edmund King, AA president and visiting professor of transport at Newcastle University, said: “The North East electric car strategy has the potential to spark a personal transport revolution in UK cities.”
One North East chairman Margaret Fay said: “The North East’s Low Carbon Economic Area will be extremely important for the future of the automotive industry in the region and will enable One North East to attract further investment related to electric vehicles and their infrastructure.”
:: For more details on the Great North Revolution, visit www.nebusiness.co.uk/revolution
