Electric car charging moves forward

Car maker Nissan and renewable energy supplier Ecotricity have teamed up to install fast chargers for electric vehicles (EVs) at motorway services on the M25/A1, M40 and M42

The 50kW DC charging points will enable drivers to recharge their EV in approximately 30 minutes – depending on the make of car and how full the battery is on arrival.

Jim Wright, managing director at Nissan Motor (GB), which will start manufacturing the all-electric Leaf at its Sunderland factory next year, said: "Some still worry about the occasional journey which may be beyond the 109 mile range [of the Leaf].

"By introducing fast-charging infrastructure at strategic motorway service stations, Nissan and Ecotricity are removing that worry and making EVs practical to a whole new selection of buyers."

US EV manufacturer, Tesla has also unveiled plans for a network of fast charge points. It is installing its first six solar-powered “supercharger” stations in California, Nevada and Arizona, and plans to begin installing them in Europe in 2013.

Meanwhile, diesel-powered buses on the number seven route in Milton Keynes will be replaced next year by eight electric buses that can recharge their batteries wirelessly throughout the day.

It means that, for the first time, electric buses will be capable of the equivalent load of their diesel counterparts, and will remove approximately 500 tonnes of tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions each year as well as 45 tonnes of other noxious emissions.