New spin-off firm aims to lead low carbon revolution

Jun 26 2009 by Peter McCusker, The Journal

SECURING the contract to spearhead the North East’s electric vehicle revolution could open up a new global market place for a Newcastle firm.

Future Transport Services (FTS), which has been set up by fast-growing Newcastle environmental consultancy TNEI, has been commissioned to prepare the groundwork for the 35 electric vehicles which will be road-tested in the region over the next two years.

A consortium including Nissan, Washington-based Smiths Electric Vehicles and One North East revealed plans this week to spend £10m creating prototype electric cars, with the aim of establishing a high-volume regional manufacturing facility.

Matthew Lumsden, managing director of FTS and business development director of TNEI, said the next few months would be spent identifying the best charging-point locations for the vehicles.

He added: “Our goal is to be the leading low-carbon vehicle infrastructure consultancy for sustainable transport in the UK and beyond.

“We are already on course to achieve these goals with a very substantial order book at the company’s launch.

“We expect significant growth in the electric vehicle sector over the next five years with many opportunities arising from the parallel development of smart metering, smart networks and renewable generation.”