Birmingham business park gets electric car charging points

Date: 31/7/2012

The Innovation Centre at Longbridge Technology Park in Birmingham has had two electric car charging points installed in its car park.

Four cars can be charged at any one time using the dual Evolt chargers and staff of the 50 companies based at the business park will be encouraged to drive the low carbon vehicles.

The charging points were supplied by APT Technologies, which specialises in the charging of electric vehicles of all kinds.

When the charging points were unveiled a Peugeot iOn electric car was brought to the site in order to allow occupants to have a test drive and see how the charging process works.

Justin Meyer, Business Development Manager for APT Technologies, said: "The launch of these charging posts has put Longbridge firmly on the map as a hub for progressive technologies and services, and paves the way for a more sustainable future in the Midlands."

Users of the new charging posts can pay for the energy to power their vehicles via a secure payment system, which uses contactless RFID proximity cards.

These can be programmed to allow access to employees of an organisation and a digital screen will be displayed to drivers.

On this screen a number of vital statistics will appear explaining to the driver how much energy has been consumed and the amount of time it will take to charge.

This will help the driver to plan their driving and charging arrangements to suit their routines and power their cars sufficiently.

Andrea Bolton, Property Manager at Longbridge Technology Park, said: "St Modwen hopes that tenants of the park will take advantage of the opportunity to use a more renewable alternative to petrol and diesel-powered transport, as the UK strives to develop more sustainable ways of living."

Employees who know they will be able to charge their electric vehicle at work are more likely to purchase one as they know there is a convenient power source.

Posted by Nick Anderson

International Transport News and Sustainable Transport News