UK chosen for electric car trials

The company has pledged to support the Government’s plans to develop an ultra-low carbon transport system and the field tests of 40 cars will form part of that support.

The vehicles will be built at Mini assembly plants in Oxford and Munich, and charging points will be provided by Scottish and Southern Energy.

To make electric mobility a reality, organisations in both the private and public sectors will need to think differently and act together

Ian Robertson

Sales & Marketing Director

BMW group

The project was launched in Scotland by business secretary Lord Mandelson and transport secretary Geoff Hoon, who both drove a Mini E electric car to mark the occasion.

Ian Robertson, BMW group sales and marketing director, commented: “We believe the Mini E is an excellent vehicle for trialling this alternative form of sustainable mobility.

“Such a trial cannot be conducted by any single organisation on its own as it goes far beyond the simple test of a prototype electric Mini.

“To make electric mobility a reality, organisations in both the private and public sectors will need to think differently and act together.”

Extensive trials of the vehicle are already being carried out in the US and Germany, and the results of the year-long UK trial will be used to help set up the framework needed to further develop ultra-low carbon transport.

The project will see customers offered between £2,000 and £5,000 to help them buy electric or plug-in hybrid cars in a bid to boost sales.

Copyright © Press Association 2009