Ministers are switched on to electric car use

Mar 16 2010 By The Journal

MINISTERS have promised they will tackle the national infrastructure problems holding back the North East electric car industry.

Business Minister Ian Lucas said the Government was intent on seeing the region’s success in introducing charging points repeated across the UK.

He was speaking during a visit to Tyneside where he announced £8.4m in funding for a low-carbon training college.

Plans to build a branch of Gateshead College in Sunderland were announced last year. It will be used to train those already working in the sector, young people and adults, and students from age 14 upwards in manufacturing and maintenance for ultra low-carbon vehicles.

The minister also met with Gateshead Council leader Mick Henry to unveil a new solar-powered electric vehicle charging point at the council car park.

Mr Henry, whose council is buying a fleet of electric vans, said he wants to see more charging points installed across the region, including one at the Angel of the North.

"We want to see these charging points spread out across the North East and we think we can do that using in some cases supermarkets," Mr Henry said.

"People do get this range anxiety where they worry if they will have enough charge left, but really we don’t go that far in a our cars most days, and an overnight charge could last you days.

The Gateshead charging point will initially be free to the public. Mr Henry said he hoped that plans for a North East travel pass covering trains and busses could be adapted to allow people to use them to pay for electric charging points.

Mr Lucas, originally from Gateshead, said he recognised the need for increased investment across the country but insisted the Government’s low-carbon strategy had been a success.

"This low-carbon revolution will happen, both here in the North East and elsewhere," Mr Lucas said.

He added: "We know it is important to train and upskill young people as we move out of the downturn, especially in growth areas like low-carbon technology."