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New fuels pilot study would be ideal for South Wales
publication date: Aug 13, 2009
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author/source: Robin Roberts
South Wales would be an ideal area to pilot study plug-in roadside charging for vehicles, it was suggested yesterday. Andrew Whittles, programme manager of the Infrastructure Grants Programme, told an audience at Baglan Energy Park that technology companies, businesses and public sector bodies could apply for funds from a £1 Million scheme created to explore alternative fuels infrastructure in Britain. The funds have been set aside for temporary and permanent projects which provide electric recharging, natural gas, hydrogen and bio-methane refuelling stations. Applicants have four opportunities to apply for the aid. The “windows of opportunity” are before October this year, by 9 December, 31 March 2010 or finally 31 July 2010 and the scheme ends in March 2010. It will provide private enterprises with up to 50pc of costs up to the commissioning stage and could be in addition to other support funds, he said. Mr Whittles said that future Government plans at this stage included a comprehensive support programme for electric vehicles purchase and kick-starting electric charging networks. “From what I know, South Wales would make an ideal test area for this charging network to be tested,” he told the audience. Jon Maddy, an alternative fuels expert with the University of Glamorgan, said there were already seven hydrogen recharging stations along the M4 corridor through South Wales and the Baglan Energy Centre was testing new systems and power units. The audience was told the funds under the IGP could qualify for further support from European sources, further reducing the cost to technology companies, businesses and public sector bodies which introduced them. “It really is important that applications are made as soon as possible to get the funding in place,” said Mr Whittles. |
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