Plugged in

Photo: Picture: PA

Motoring writer Quentin Willson with a Smart fortwo electric car next to one of the new charging points that will be installed in Oldham.

Oldham to lead way on electric motoring

CHARGING points for electric cars are set to be installed across Oldham as part of a government drive to get the UK in the fast lane of the electric car.

Oldham Council is leading the scheme in Greater Manchester, which will see 305 power points put up across the region after the area successfully bid for a share of £20million.

The first phase will be installed in Oldham, Manchester city centre and south towards the airport.

Greater Manchester will be handed £3.6 million towards its £9 million scheme, which they have to match fund.

Councillor Dave Goddard, chairman of the Greater Manchester Environment Commission, said: “This is great news. The electric cars are a fantastic way to keep Greater Manchester on the move in the most low carbon way possible. They are fantastic vehicles and we’d like to give our congratulations to everyone who’s been involved in this project.”

The Government wants a network of electric vehicle recharging points in streets, car parks and commercial retail and leisure facilities as driving electric cars becomes a part of everyday life.

In the new year, the motoring map of the country will start to be redrawn as government and the car industry work in partnership to give drivers a wide choice of clean, green transport.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said: “A few years ago, ultra-low emission cars with mass market appeal appeared just a pipe dream. Now they are a reality and we can have all the convenience of the car without all the carbon that normally goes with it.

“Government action to support affordable vehicles and more local charging points means we are on the threshold of an exciting green revolution — 2011 could be remembered as the year the electric car took off.

“The British public has in the past shown it’s ready to embrace new technology and take practical steps to adopt a lifestyle kinder to the environment, so we could really be at the start of something big.”

Ministers also announced that from January 1 nine cars will be eligible forgrants of up to £5,000 — Mitsubishi iMiEV, Smart fourtwo electric drive, Peugeot iON, Citroen CZero, Nissan Leaf, Tata Vista EV, Toyota Prius Plug-in, Vauxhall Ampera and Chevrolet Volt — which could slash the price of a new model by one quarter.

Business Minister Mark Prisk said: “The news that motorists will be able to choose from at least nine cars under the consumer incentive scheme and that we are expanding the infrastructure for charging electric vehicles will further reinforce the message that the UK is Europe’s leading producer of ultra low carbon vehicles.”

The Government announced in its spending review it had allocated £400 million to promote the uptake of ultra-low carbon vehicle technologies.