New car proves to be a bright spark for council

May 28 2009 The Journal

A FLEET of the world’s most up-to-date electric cars could be brought in by North East councils.

Newcastle City Council is to trial the zero-emission Mitsubishi i Miev - the only showroom-ready all-electric four-seater produced so far by a mainstream manufacturer.

Gateshead and South Tyneside councils will also test the vehicle, which is due to go on general sale by the end of the year.

It is powered by the latest lithium-ion batteries, has a range of up to 100 miles and can be recharged from a domestic household electricity socket.

With external equipment, it can be recharged within 20 minutes.

The city council’s fleet services team will put the vehicle through a rigorous testing and evaluation programme with a view to assessing its suitability for inclusion in the council’s low carbon vehicle procurement programme.

The council has already bought an electric transit tipper van, which was built by Smiths Electric Vehicles in Washington.

David Slater, executive director of environment and regeneration, said: “In the past, Newcastle has been at the forefront of electrical and consumer innovation.

“We have a great chance to take another leap forward.”