l l l l Home New Models Industry Green News Odds n’Ends Britain Set for Automotive Revolution The SMMT has styled the government’s latest incentive to encourage British motorists to change to greener motors ‘an automotive revolution’. The final details of the government’s £230 million ultra-low carbon car incentive programme were announced on February 24th. From January 2011, motorists will be entitled to a ‘Plug-In Car Grant’ of up to £5,000* when buying an electric, plug-in hybrid or hydrogen fuel cell car that meets safety, reliability, performance and warranty standards set by the Office for Low Emissions Vehicles (OLEV) in consultation with industry. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) welcomed the announcement from OLEV that detailed how cars will qualify for the incentives and the grant amount. Also announced were the winners (London, Milton Keynes, North East England) of the Plugged-In Places bid which saw UK cities and regions bid for investment to support the development of infrastructure required to support ultra-low carbon vehicles. “This incentive scheme signals a significant commitment by government and industry to promote ultra-low carbon vehicles and is great news for motorists. The UK is determined to be a world-leader in developing the field of ultra-low carbon vehicles, sustaining and creating high-skill jobs, attracting inward investment and producing cutting-edge products,” said SMMT chief executive, Paul Everitt.  “Manufacturers develop and produce new technology where demand exists. This incentive will encourage international investment in the UK as well as helping motorists cut CO2 emissions.” The Plugged-In Places investment will see the installation of over 11,000 charging posts in London, Milton Keynes and North East England. There will be another opportunity, in June 2010, for additional cities and regions to bid for Plugged-In Places funding. Already confirmed as intending to bid are the West Midlands, Cornwall, Sheffield, the Lake District, Greater Manchester, and Northern Ireland. Since its creation in mid-2009, OLEV has worked with industry to promote the manufacture of, and infrastructure for, ultra-low carbon vehicles. The £230 million Plug-In Car Grant and £30 million Plugged-In Places scheme were initially announced in March 2009 before being formalised in Budget 2009. * Motorists will be entitled to a 25% discount from the list price of the eligible car, up to the value of £5,000. Offer of the ‘Plug-In Car Grant’ will be subject to notification of technical requirements to, and state aid approval from, the European Commission. SMMT - February 2010 0-80 in 30 minutes Mitsubishi Motors UK is the first company in Europe to be showcasing the fast charge function of the all- electric i-MiEV city car. The fast charger, supplied by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), allows the i- MiEV to recharge from flat to eighty per cent full in just 30 minutes. The charger’s key specification includes: 3-phase 400V input DC out power of 50kW Maximum DC output voltage of 500V Maximum DC output current of 100 amperes Stand-alone unit measuring approximately 200 x 100 x 80 cms (h x w x d) A press release by Mitsubishi makes the following points: “You can already commute from Brighton to Central London on a daily basis in the i-MiEV, but the option to quick charge at motorway service areas and superstore car parks gives this multi award winning city car even more scope for longer journeys and greater convenience for the end user. The average daily journey in the UK, however, is estimated to be less than 30 miles, so vehicle owners can already use their three-pin socket domestic supply, which costs less than a Pound for a full charge. Those with a longer commute can easily ‘refill’ at their workplace before the journey home.” Managing Director, Lance Bradley commented: “the fast charge function will revolutionise the way people think about the practicalities of Electric Vehicles. This is particularly significant with the launch of the Plugged in Places initiative by the Department for Transport, which is seeking to accelerate the implementation of the UK’s charging infrastructure”. (December 2009)