The city of Manchester has launched an electric vehicle scheme that will see more than 200 charging bays placed in 10 local authority areas.
A new £2.7 million electric vehicle scheme will be partly paid using a £1.7m grant from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles, with the remainder being paid by the 10 authorities.
The scheme pricing is yet to be confirmed, but users will pay a flat rate per hour to recharge their vehicle. To recharge a typical EV (7kwh/32amp capability) fully in a Greater Manchester electric vehicle (GMEV) scheme bay will take around three – four hours and cost no more that £6. This will enable an EV driver to travel around 100 miles.
The GMEV scheme will be operated by Charge Your Car a leader in EV charging networks. CYC will manage the payments and access to the GMEV scheme on behalf of the Transport for Greater Manchester.
The first bays will be in place and ready to use by July.
“We are launching an innovative charging network right across Greater Manchester. Studies show that a network such as this is the key to getting drivers to consider a switch to electric. The take up of electric vehicles will improve air quality and reduce noise pollution and therefore create a better environment for residents and visitors to the region.”
“Electric vehicles are going to transform the way we live and work and studies show that a network such as this is the key to getting drivers to consider a switch to electric. The take-up of electric vehicles will improve air quality and reduce noise pollution and therefore create a better environment for residents and visitors to the region,” said Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council and Vice Chair of Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Transport represents one of the largest sources of CO2 emissions in the UK, with road transport making up over 90 percent of this.
The largest share of which comes from cars. The Committee on Climate Change – the Government’s climate advisors – says that the UK is forecast to have 1.7million electric vehicles on the road by 2020 helping to meet carbon reduction targets.
Legally binding emission reduction targets are also in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 34 percent by 2020.
