Electric vehicle and charge point
Electric vehicle and charge point
Eight new vehicle charge points have been installed in Exeter - each with a Co-Car for shared use. It's the first phase of a private-sector led scheme that includes Devon County Council, Regen, Co Cars, ZPN Energy and Gamma Energy. The project is funded by Innovate UK and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, and aims to deliver dozens of charge points across the City over the next two years.
The sites are at Langaton Lane, Barrack Road, Belmont Road, Hanover Road, Whipton Lane, Cowick Hill, Haven Road and St Leonards Road.
Over a 34% of people do not currently have off-street parking facilities to charge an electric vehicle. This project removes this barrier, meaning many more people can make the move to electric car use. The project is part of a nationwide move to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality - the government has announced a ban on the sales of new cars and vans powered wholly by petrol and diesel from 2030.
The rapid chargers use a cutting-edge energy storage system with a renewable energy supply and charge vehicles very quickly at a low cost.
A typical unit will provide 75 miles of travel after 30 min of charge (25Kwh) at a cost of £7.50 (30p per kWh).
Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council cabinet member for highway management, said: ‘This initiative is hugely exciting and puts Exeter on the map with the UK’s most sustainable cities. This means residents will have much-needed access to charge points, and electric vehicles in the heart of the city’s neighbourhoods.’
Residents will be able to book a Co Car from as little as half an hour. Evidence shows this will ultimately decrease the amount of private cars on the streets as the need for vehicle ownership or second cars is reduced.
Mark Hodgson from Co Cars said: ‘For those who don’t want the costs of car ownership, Co Cars membership is a flexible, affordable option that allows people to enjoy all the benefits of electric cars with none of the hassle or expense of ownership.’