Birmingham Airport and Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport have both installed new electric vehicle chargers onsite.
The ‘electric pumps’ have been fitted as part of Ecotricity’s Electric Highway network which aims to provide fast charging for EVs with 100% renewable electricity.
Jo Lloyd, commercial director at Birmingham Airport, explained why the airport decided to fit the fast chargers. He said: “The growing popularity of electric and hybrid cars means it is vital we provide the facilities that will enable our passengers to travel to-and-from the airport as easily as possible. We’re extremely proud to support this green form of energy and the obvious benefits it brings to the environment.”
EV sales have seen a large upturn in popularity in recent months, with total EV sales expected to total more in the first six months of 2015 then the last four years combined.
Andrew Dutton, Liverpool John Lennon Airport’s head of environment, echoed Lloyd’s sentiments. He said: “Liverpool John Lennon Airport is proud to play a small part in the electric car revolution. The journey to the airport can be one of the major contributors to CO2 emissions associated with our business.
“By installing this charging point we are now giving those customers with electric or hybrid cars the opportunity to use these vehicles on a potential lengthy journey to the airport, relaxed in the knowledge that we have a charging point for them to use for their return journey home. Just as important though, this will also help to reduce CO2 emissions.”
Dale Vince, founder of Ecotricity explained that the new installs were part of the company’s wider ambition to provide a flexible, national network of EV charging infrastructure. He said: “With our electricity pumps at 95% of the motorway network, we’re well on our way to making electric cars a practical, everyday choice for drivers in Britain. Installing pumps at airports such as Liverpool and Birmingham is the next phase of our national network which enables electric cars to drive the length and breadth of Britain. Now e-drivers can charge up at the airport if they’re picking up, dropping off, or on their way in and out of the country.”
Ecotricity claims that its electric highway now boasts over 20,000 members and is adding 1,300 new members a month.
Ecotricity recently confirmed that it reached an out of court settlement with Tesla Motors, drawing to an end a long-running dispute over the UK’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
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