Green energy vehicle charging network gets go ahead
March 20, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Electric vehicles (EVs) are a great solution for people who want to reduce their carbon footprint. But one issue has always been a problem: the electricity that the cars run on has to be generated somewhere, and that usually involves the burning of fossil fuels.
However, this hurdle is about to be overcome now that two companies have announced a new charging network across the UK and Ireland for EVs that relies exclusively on green energy.
Green Motion Limited is teaming up with Green Energy Plc to launch the Network One charging stations across the UK in a move that will create 30 jobs and allow EV drivers to get around without having to rely on electricity that is produced from fossil fuels.
Now those people who are keen to drive EVs in a way that does not harm the environment at all will find it a lot easier to charge up their vehicles with electricity generated from wind power, solar power and other green sources.
Green Motion already operates charging stations with Network One in Germany, France and Switzerland. Its success in those countries has led it to launch the network over here, and when the network arrives in the UK it will be the first one in the country to allow cars to charge with renewable energy.
By 2018, Green Motion is predicting that a total of 100,000 charging stations will be up and running in the UK, which will consist of both its Network One charging stations and other standard charging stations. Of these, 40% are expected to be installed in homes, 50% in locations such as supermarket car parks and 10% in the streets. The government has announced that it will install 25,000 by 2015.
The managing director of Green Motion, Stewart Mckee, called the partnership “game changing” and said that it was “hugely significant to the UK’s global technology position.”
EDF joins other electricity companies in price hike
March 10, 2011 at 2:04 pm
On 2nd March, EDF Energy increased its gas prices by 6.5% and electricity prices by 7.5%. EDF has now joined the five other “big six” energy companies that have also put up their prices recently.
The price hikes began in November when Scottish Power’s electricity bills went up by an average of 8.9% and gas by 2%. This was followed by Scottish and Southern Energy who increased prices by 9.4%, followed shortly by a 7% rise in both gas and electricity for British Gas and a 5.1% increase for both for Npower. E.On also announced a 9% increase in electricity prices and a 3% increase in gas.
According to price comparison website Uswitch.com, the change to EDF’s pricing will mean the average annual bill for their customers will go up by £72. It is estimated that the average increase across all suppliers is lower at £63, but Uswitch’s Ann Robinson says that EDF’s customers were protected from a price increase in the winter, when the impact would have been more severe.
EDF regrets the price increase but claims that like other energy companies it has been constrained by a multitude of insurmountable issues such as wholesale costs, network charges and environmental costs. Martin Lawrence, a senior manager from the company, insists that even though he is disappointed by the increase, he is glad the company “held out longer” than its competitors, and did not put up its prices in the winter, during which time it officially had a price freeze.
Energy regulator Ofgem is currently reviewing the domestic energy market to see if any actions need to be taken against the price increases. The work will be completed by the end of March. A similar investigation was also conducted in October 2008, but no evidence of malpractice by the energy suppliers was found.
