Scotland is a leading innovator in electric car technology and must not lose its head-start during 2010, says Glasgow-based Allied Vehicles.
The car manufacturer and its subsidy, Allied Electric, which adapts Peugeot cars and vans to run on electric power, believes that Scotland has a major part to play in the progress towards an electric future.
Teaming up with Dundee-based Axeon, Europe’s largest independent supplier of lithium-ion battery systems, and environmental group WWF Scotland, the trio is calling on the Scottish government to do all that it can during 2010 to deliver the widespread and rapid uptake of electric vehicles north of the border.
The three organisations welcomed the ambition shown by Scottish ministers so far, but warned that with emissions from road transport still rising and Scotland’s world-leading climate legislation to deliver on that there is no room for delay in this area of policy.
The Scottish Government is expected to publish the results of its Low Carbon Vehicle consultation during Spring 2010.
WWF Scotland’s Climate Policy Officer, Dr Sam Gardner, said: “Scotland once had the lead in clean wind power, but lost it. Scotland currently has a lead in clean electric vehicles, but will lose that too unless we see a rapid stepping up of plans to encourage the widespread use of this technology. We urge ministers to do everything in their power to enable the rapid roll-out of electric vehicles throughout Scotland. 2010 is the year we must get things moving on electric vehicles in Scotland.
“Alongside measures to get people out of their cars, a switch to electric vehicles is going to be an essential part of tackling climate change. Scotland needs to embrace electric vehicles and start planning the infrastructure needed to make it happen.”
Allied Electric’s Managing Director, Paul Nelson, said: “The use of electric vehicles is paramount to the reduction of carbon emissions, these vehicles produce zero emissions in congested city centres and fewer emissions overall. EVs can also be powered by green energy sources meaning there’s an opportunity for Scotland to become a leader in the production of electricity from renewable sources and using this power to operate electric vehicles.
“It is essential that we fight to hold on to the lead we have worked hard to gain as it has the potential to create hundreds of much needed manufacturing jobs which are now few and far between as a result of the economic crisis.”
Lawrence Berns, CEO of Axeon said: “Axeon, headquartered in Dundee, is Europe’s foremost producer of Lithium-ion battery packs for electric vehicles and is currently the UK’s market leader in large commercial vehicle battery technology. Axeon’s battery and charger systems are designed and manufactured to exacting automotive standards in Scotland, drawing on many years of battery experience. Axeon expect electric vehicles to be an essential part of tackling climate change and would strongly support Scottish Government initiatives to accelerate the adoption of this technology during 2010.”
WWF Scotland is currently undertaking research looking at the emissions savings from different levels of future electric vehicle use and the associated infrastructure needs.
