Electric car hub runs out of juice

ARTIST’S impression of the Hollinwood Pod Centre

PLANS to develop an innovative electric car showroom in Hollinwood have been controversially scrapped, the Chronicle can reveal.

The site of the former iconic Roxy cinema in Hollinwood was due to be transformed into a one-stop shop for electric vehicles, as reported in the Chronicle in 2011.

However, work has yet to start and the Chronicle now understands the plans have been scrapped due to a lack of private investment.

The first of its kind in England, it would have included an electric car showroom and information point, lease and rental cars and bikes, rapid charging points and an after-sales care team.

It would have allowed drivers to lease, hire and charge electric vehicles, as well as join an electric car club, shop or even buy a coffee.

The hub was set to be a flagship for many more across Greater Manchester after Oldham Council Cabinet members agreed a report recommending a long-term lease be awarded to the Manchester Electric Car Company (MECC) for the Hollinwood development which was scheduled to open in the summer of 2012. The company had been in talks to get shops and cafes as well as car manufacturers on board.

The project stemmed from a successful bid by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities for £3.6 million Government funding which was then matched by private investors to form the MECC.

A spokesman for MECC chief executive Ron Stratton said: "MECC is still involved in charging and, while the market has been quite horrendous, there has been a big increase in electric car sales and people's attitude towards electric cars has moved from negative to positive.

"We believe there is now momentum and MECC is hoping to talk to Oldham Council again in the near future."

In fact, Oldham is still leading the way when it comes to environmentally-conscious motoring.

According to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Oldham is home to the second-most environmentally-conscious motorists in Britain ­- beaten only by those in West London.

The data team behind a site for new car buyers has shed light on the areas where motorists are most likely to buy low emission "eco" cars, such as electric or hybrid models.

It revealed that of cars purchased in Oldham over the last three years 2.83 per cent were either electric or hybrid cars.