April 17th, 2009
Britain tries to electricify its auto industry
In moves that mirror new American laws, the British government is going to be providing hefty rewards to British car-buyers…if they buy electric vehicles. The pay-outs could be as much as five thousand pounds. Currently that’s well over $7,000 U.S.
About 13% of Britain’s total carbon emissions come from private transport and the goal is to encourage electric cars to reduce those emissions. Despite its hsare of the North Sea oil field, Britain is an oil importer.
The British government is also planning to spend millions of dollars on re-charging stations in central cities. Parking lots don’t have electric sockets?
One idea that is getting public attention in Britain is championed by California-based Better Place. That involves making curbside battery swap stations, old discharged batteries swapped for charged ones. Here’s the Better Place website.
Of course, Britain is no better off than America in terms of electric car supply. They, too, are waiting for those promised EVs.
A newsman since 1969, Harry Fuller has worked for CBS, ABC, CNBC Europe, CNET and was founding news director at TechTV. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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