Electric car scheme trialled in Birmingham

• Mar. 18 by Adam Hartland (3)

The Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Demonstrators (CABLED) are currently trialing electric cars to show the West Midlands that ultra low carbon automobiles are now able to withstand the hustle and bustle of city life.

Over the next few years 110 automobiles from six different manufacturers are set to be trialled over a span of 12 months.

People participating in the project will have charging units installed in their homes. In addition to this, 35 – 40 charging ports are to be placed around the Midlands.

The scheme has been co-funded by the Technology Strategy Board’s Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator competition. Advantage West Midlands have also played a key part in the project.

Arup Advanced Technology & Researcher, Christina Fell commented on the current progression of the scheme:

The time line of the project is still on track with the first batch of cars (Mitsubishi I-MiEVs) having been handed over to 25 end users in December 2009.

Upon completion the roads of Birmingham and Coventry would have witnessed a wide range of different automobiles, from the small I-MiEV to the large Land Rover Range-e.