North East leaders hit back at carbon report

Nov 13 2009 by Amy Hunt, The Journal

NORTH East leaders have hit back at claims electric cars may not help the environment.

A report by the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) concluded using vehicles powered by electricity rather than oil may increase rather than cut emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2).

The potential benefits of switching to electric cars are dependent on how the power on which they run is generated, the report found.

Backed by development agency One North East Newcastle and Gateshead councils are installing a network of charging points at locations including supermarkets, shopping centres, hospitals, universities, public buildings, homes and business premises.

The aim is to create a realistic market and infrastructure network for electric vehicles.

Nissan’s Sunderland plant has also been offered cash by the Government, on top of a £200m investment by the firm itself, to make batteries for electric cars.

And Newcastle City Council is looking at setting up a green delivery company, using a drop-off depot outside the city centre and a fleet of electric vehicles to take deliveries to businesses.

Wendy Taylor, the city council’s executive member for environment, sustainability and transport, said: “It is well established that transport is a major cause of CO2 emissions and by using electric vehicles we could reduce these emissions and dramatically improve air quality and people’s health. As part of our commitment to tackling climate change, we are working with partners to promote this new technology. We welcome electric cars as a symbol of the progress that is being made towards more sustainable transport.”

A One North East spokesman said: “An influential report by Arup and Cenex last year concluded that electric vehicles have the potential to produce significant reductions in carbon emissions, compared to conventional vehicles.

“Based on the current UK electricity grid, the report found that switching to an electric vehicle would result in an emissions reduction of 40%. Renewable charging solutions, such as the photovoltaic panels being developed by Romag and Tegrel in the North East, are one of the ways in which even greater reductions can be achieved.

“A range of low carbon vehicle fuels are being developed and manufactured in the region, which also include bio-ethanol, bio-methane, bio-diesel and hydrogen. All of these will find a place in the region’s low carbon economy as the technology develops and manufacturers bring new products to market.”

The ETA’s report claims it is unlikely that electric vehicles would number more than 25% of new sales by 2050. And experts at the organisation say unless changes are made to the rules regulating CO2 emissions and the way electricity is generated sales of electric cars are likely to result in higher overall CO2 emissions and oil consumption.

They say this is because low running costs of electric vehicles would lead to extra demand for car transport and electricity, leading to a potentially greater use of coal and nuclear power.

Electric cars powered by wind or solar energy are obviously superior, says the report, but if the electricity comes from coal, hybrids perform better.

ETA director Andrew Davis said: “While the report is not intended to dampen enthusiasm for electric vehicles, their introduction should not be viewed as a panacea.”