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Electric cars could be a familiar sight by 2011

More than 600 electric vehicle charging points are to be installed in the North East.

Regional Development Agency One North East have signed an agreement with Nissan in Sunderland, a move that hopes to make electric vehicles a familiar sight on the region’s roads.

The agreement means One North East will install 619 publicly available charging points by January 2011, with electricity provided for free until March 31, 2012, or until a billing system comes into effect.

Margaret Faye, chairman of One North East, said: “Today marks a significant step forward in our ambitions to become a leading global location for ultra low carbon vehicles.

“The commitments we are making today will show industry and consumers alike that North East England is serious about electric vehicles.

“We look forward to stimulation and shaping this emerging industry which will create new jobs for our region and help reduce CO2 emissions.”

The agreement was officially signed yesterday morning by Margaret Faye and Nissan’s senior vice president for manufacturing in Europe, Trevor Mann.

The agreement also includes One North East’s commitment to a £2.4m investment in the National Centre for Sustainable Manufacturing, and a £2.3m investment in Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Development Centre.

The Memorandum of Understanding that was signed in March, under which a series of advances in electric vehicle development have taken place, including the creation of the UK’s first Low Carbon Economic Area for Ultra Low Carbon Vehicles, will be replaced by the new understanding.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .