Birmingham and Coventry to become “electric car cities”
Yesterday, the Government made a number of promises regarding working towards a more environmentally-friendly Britain.
Birmingham and Coventry were particularly important, as they are part of an initiative to become Britain’s first “electrical car cities”.
Around five cities will share £10 million funding to speed up the transition to electric cars, making for a lower-carbon nation, and Birmingham and Coventry look set to receive a hefty scoop of that cash.
Alongside announcements regarding the electric cars initiative, the Government also pledged 7,000 new wind turbines and a £9.5 million wave farm to be built in Cornwall.
In addition to saving energy, the wave farm will also generate nearly 2,000 jobs – which can only been a good thing!
With all the announcements and good intentions, it’s looking like the Government might be finally starting to take the environment, and it’s importance to our future generations, seriously.
But I can’t help but wonder, how much of it is shallow promises? Certainly, they have pledged to do the work, but they haven’t offered any kind of time scale for when the work will be completed, or even started.
No one can argue that it’s not a positive thing that the Government are sitting up and noticing climate change, and the fact that something needs to be done. However, I think I’ll wait until solid action is taken before I make up my mind.
Did You Enjoy This Post?
Please consider giving us your vote
-
Delicious
-
Twitter
-
Digg
-
Stumble Upon
geniearse says:
Why is it that everyone thinks electric cars don’t produce carbon.
The power to drive the vehicle either comes from a fuel cell combining hydrogen and oxygen giving electricity and water or from batteries, neither of which give carbon from the car.
BUT in both cases the fuel, either hydrogen or electricity for charging has to be manufactured which uses power.
Unless this power comes from nuclear or renewable sources it is, in the long run no less carbon producing than petrol/diesel.
A coal fired power station in particular are very inefficient, up to 60% of the coals energy is LOST.
Gas powered power stations can be up to 10% better.
Add to this losses in electricity transmission losses, in hydrogen manufacture or in battery charges.
The biggest reduction of carbon emmision in this country could be made by recoving heat wasted in gas or coal fueled power stations.
Combined heat and power (CHP) is now catching on in a lot of industries. see http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/~enzetc/tech_combine_heat_power.php
Do you Still think electric cars are ‘making for a lower-carbon nation’ ?
Jul. 20 at 12:25 pmAnthony Dosanjh says:
As long as we get rid of buses i am up for it!
Aug. 17 at 3:17 pmPhil Gordon says:
I think it’s good that Birmingham is taking part in schemes such as these. Although we are regarded as England’s second city, Birmingham has a pretty bad reputation and is becoming increasingly overshadowed by Manchester. Schemes like this electric car project coupled with the future plans to build upwards instead of out, making Birmingham the Manhattan of the UK, ensures a positive future for our city.
Aug. 19 at 1:06 pm