Partner Article

Call for North East firms to plug in

A call has been sent out to North East businesses to encourage them to get behind the region’s electric vehicle ambitions.

One North East is currently preparing its bid for the Government’s £30m ‘Plugged-In Places’ initiative, and is looking for businesses to get involved in the scheme.

By signing up to the project, businesses and organisations across the North East will be able to install charging points at their premises for half the standard price – around £2,500 instead of £5,000.

Organisations already signed up to the bid include supermarket firm Tesco, Land Securities (owners of the Bridges Shopping Centre), and support services provider eaga.

Chris Pywell, Head of Strategic Economic Change at One North East, said: “This is an excellent financial opportunity for regional businesses and organisations who want to help lead the switch towards green transport and we want as many people as possible to be involved.

“If our bid is successful, the funding would strengthen our region’s position as a leading location in the UK both for electric car technology and for the development of a national charging infrastructure.”

In December One North East signed a Definitive Agreement with car manufacturer Nissan, planning the roll-out of electric vehicles and infrastructure in the region.

David Swerdlow, Nissanspokesperson, said of the Plugged-in Places initiative: “The development of a zero emission infrastructure - including a comprehensive network of vehicle charging points - is an essential requirement before Electric Vehicles can be successfully introduced to the region, and beyond.

“Nissan fully supports the Plugged-in Places initiative, as well as One North East’s call to companies and organisations, from both the private and public sectors, to become involved in the scheme ahead of the January 31st deadline.

“Nissan is continuing discussions with the UK government and with two consortia, in the North East of England and London, to prepare for the roll-out of the EV charging infrastructure in both regions and at national level.”

The bid is to be submitted by 31 January. Businesses and organisations interested should contact Dr David Beeton, Business Strategy Senior Specialist at One North East, at david.beeton@onenortheast.co.uk

Nissan was expected to announce in the next few weeks whether its Sunderland factory had won the right to build the company’s new Leaf electric car in Europe, but the decision has now been put on hold until the summer.

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