Britain's electric car -- fantasy or cure?

• Source: xinhua
• [12:50 April 19 2009]
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By Wang Dongying, Rob Welham

The British government has announced an initiative to encourage the use of electric cars, as the central part of its strategy to promote ultra low-carbon transport over the next five years.

This week's announcement came as the country faces twin pressures in salvaging its car industry, a key player in the national economy, and fulfilling its goals in carbon dioxide emissions cuts.

 But the initiative has already come under fire from green groups and opposition parties who say it is not viable, both economically and ecologically. Seemingly well-founded, the plan may bring many troubles before Britons could see such vehicles in car showrooms.

CHECKERED HISTORY

The electric car has had a long history stretching back to the 19th Century. But it is only in recent years that the idea has been taken seriously. Large and expensive batteries, as well as low speeds and short mileage ranges, make the electric vehicle unattractive to both consumers and manufacturers.

In Britain, electric vehicles have long been used to deliver milk. Operated by local dairies, the milk float has become synonymous with the British way of life. But due to the short distances they cover and a top speed of only 24 km/h, there is a widespread belief that electric vehicles are not practical.

 That opinion changed when the American car manufacturer, General Motors, introduced the EV1 in the 1990s. Capable of motorway speeds and with a range of 216 km before a recharge, the car became highly popular amongst the lucky few who were able to lease the vehicle.

But after only eight years on the road, General Motors demanded the vehicles back. The decision led to accusations that the company was trying to remove threats to the oil industry and spawned a documentary film "Who killed the electric car?"

With a growing green movement and a better understanding of global warming, there has been a shift in attitude toward the electric car.

In a show of technological achievement, Swiss solar energy pioneer, Louis Palmer, completed a world tour in his solar-taxi in 2007. Covering more than 52,000 km in his solar-powered electric vehicle, Palmer said he wanted to prove the existence of solutions in lowering carbon dioxide emissions.

PLANNING A GREEN FUTURE

Britain's business secretary Peter Mandelson took to the wheel of an electric car on Thursday, saying it would create an "industrial and employment opportunity as well as an ecological one."

He said that the new range of electric vehicles would excite drivers. "I think when people see the electric car and feel it, its speed, its lack of noise, they'll fall in love with it," Mandelson said.

 London has already seen electric cars on its streets and the British government also has come up with proposals aimed to create many "electric car cities."

The small and nimble G-Wiz, the only fully electric car available in Britain, has been seen on the capital's streets for a number of years. Although it only has a top speed of 80 km/h and a range of only 65 km, it has attracted many customers. One of its most notable users is Sir Victor Blank, the Lloyds Banking Group chairman.

Newer models promise greater speeds and longer distances between charges. And the government is planning to roll out infrastructure and charging points across Britain, at a cost of 20million pounds (29 million U.S dollars).