The UK has been an epicentre for drivers with a green conscience for many years. Having already adjusted its road tax system to penalise the heaviest polluters and introduced congestion charges; the Government created a vehicle scrappage scheme earlier this year meant to help more motorists make green choices while boosting the automotive sector.
Now it seems that its efforts have been rewarded.
Last week, Nissan announced plans to make electric car batteries at its plant in Sunderland, creating 350 new jobs in the process (see 'Nissan to make electric car batteries at Sunderland plant'). In total it will invest £200million over the next five years with hopes high that Nissan Sunderland will also be a strong contender to manufacture the company's electric cars.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown welcomed the news as the Government embarks on the Building Britain's Future scheme – a plan for recovery based on low carbon, high technology industries, products and services. So is Britain really in a position to be a green car leader?
The argument for the UK…
Many of the manufacturers with bases in the UK are already investing in new technologies and focusing on the development of green cars. For example, Toyota has announced plans to manufacture the hybrid Auris in the UK (see article) at its Derbyshire factory as it bids to make more European motorists switch from increasingly clean diesel vehicles to low emission technology. Vauxhall is also considered one of the leading contenders to win the contract to produce General Motors' new electric car the Chevrolet Volt, which has been previewed in Europe under the name of the Vauxhall/Opel Ampera (pictured).
MINI has proudly showcased its Oxford-built MINI E electric car which is being trialled in the US market; while Lotus has helped develop the new Tesla Roadster – an electric sports car that will also debut in the North American market.
In addition, the Government has shown that it is willing to offer strong backing to car manufacturers that adopt a green stance and bring jobs to the UK. It has given a £27million grant to Land Rover to help it produce a new hybrid SUV that has been code-named LRX and should help the Jaguar-Land Rover group reach a new audience.
It has also outlined targets for the National Grid to increase the amount of electricity that comes from purely renewable sources. There are tax breaks for electric cars, as well as freedom from congestion charges and even free parking in electric hotspots such as Westminster.
The argument against the UK…
One of the major problems the UK faces is that, as an already developed economy, it needs to produce results now rather than later as it slumps into it deepest recession since the Depression.
Electric cars remain something of a gamble. Though they appear to be favoured over hydrogen fuel cells and even algae-based biofuels; range, practicality and power remain three key stumbling blocks. At present, the most popular electric car in the UK is the G-Wiz and it has a questionable safety reputation, not to mention the fact that there are cheaper alternatives on the market that don't face the same limitations.
There is also the matter of a shortage of recharging points with little investment outside London, and as the UK is so heavily populated, it relies on flats and apartment blocks – living in such an environment makes recharging all the more difficult.
What's more is that Britain's car industry has a reputation for producing "gas guzzlers". The likes of Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar and Land Rover all have bases in the UK and they are less likely to fall prey to low-cost competition in developing countries such as China, India and Korea.
So the question remains as to whether the Government should really be focusing its cash in this direction and, even if it does, it can surely be out-spent by other more interventionist countries. Worryingly, as the bulk of the major car companies are foreign, the UK is always subject to their whims.
Our verdict…
Electric cars in existing forms undoubtedly have their limitations, but these are being addressed and the car industry seems intent on making this form of alternative vehicle the focus for the future of motoring. It seems every major car maker has an electric car in the works, and Nissan in particular is piling millions into their development.
To ignore these advancements would be short-sighted and so it makes sense for the UK to try and grab some of action. With significant investment behind it and such a well-established reputation in motoring there's no reason why Britain shouldn't position itself as one of the leaders of the green car pack.
Faye Sunderland
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