Wiltshire supports switch to electric vehicles
2014-12-19 16:33:20
Baroness Kramer, the Transport Minister has visited Wiltshire to see first-hand the preparations the county is making to prepare its towns for an increased demand for plug-in vehicles.
Wiltshire County Council is installing rapid charge points across the county which will allow operators of plug-in cars or vans the opportunity to give their vehicle an 80% charge in just 20 minutes. The initiative is being delivered with support from a £225,000 government grant from the Office of Low Emission Vehicles, with the Council itself contributing another £75,000. Installation is being carried out by Chargemaster.
Located at key sites close to major routes in Salisbury, Warminster, Melksham, Trowbridge, Corsham and Chippenham, the network was officially opened at the Corsham charge point by the Minister.
Each charging point is ‘triple-standard’ with three separate plugs to connect to the widest possible range of electric vehicles, including a DC 44kW CHAdeMO plug, a DC 44kW CCS Combi plug and an AC 43kW Type 2 plug. All six RAPID EV charge points are free for EV drivers to use, with only normal parking charges applying at each of the sites.
Baroness Kramer told EcoCars4Sale: “More and more people are switching to plug-in vehicles, with more than 5,000 sold in the last 3 months. We need the right infrastructure to keep building that momentum. Providing charge points like these means people can be confident that they can charge their car when they are out and about.”
David Martell, Chargemaster CEO, told us: “As the UK’s largest provider of EV charging infrastructure, we are delighted to have worked with Wiltshire Council to deliver the new RAPID EV charge point network. The sites will not only serve local electric car drivers, but will also benefit those travelling from further afield on business or for leisure.”
Councillor Horace Prickett from Wiltshire Council, added: “We’re really excited to have these new charge points in Wiltshire, not only to help local residents to reduce their fuel consumption with an ultra-low emission vehicle, but also to attract EV drivers from all over the country to enjoy our fantastic tourist attractions and the local facilities around each location.”
Under current European regulations, all new vehicles are expected to have some form of ULEV element by 2040. As more models are already becoming available and the nationwide network of charging points continues to expand, the UK is already beginning to witness a steady rise in the number of people adopting low emission vehicles. In some instances, driving costs can be as low as two-pence per mile.
This article was prepared by First4Auto exclusively for EcoCars4Sale.
Reported By
Andrew Merritt-Morling
Chief Editor
