Electric car uptake 'to gain momentum in 2010'

Date: 16/12/2009

Awareness and uptake of electric cars is likely to gain momentum in 2010, it has been suggested.

Richard Bremner, editor of Clean Green Cars, said the wider public should start to see electric cars as a practical possibility, aiding by the government's introduction of an electric car trial in the West Midlands.

Under the initiative, 25 Mitsubishi i-MiEV electric vehicles will be given to independent drivers in the area to test over the course of the year.

The government-backed trial is worth £15 million and is likely to raise awareness of the new car technology.

Mr Bremner said the move also improves our progress in electronic car investment from a global point of group.

"In terms of infrastructure, initiatives in Israel, Denmark and Portugal are further ahead as part of Project Better Place, which Renault and Nissan are involved with, which will also benefit France and Japan, while lead suppliers of electric cars are likely to be France, Japan, Germany and, via Vauxhall, the US," he added.

However, Mr Bremner noted London has a comparatively good infrastructure in place for the vehicles.