New electric vehicle charging project driving growth for dynamic Tees Valley company

A pioneering project which will boost electric vehicle use in the region is set to launch today, heralding a new period of growth for a Tees Valley-based company.

The EVPV project, an initiative which offsets the electricity demand created when charging electric vehicles (EVs) through the use of solar power panels (PVs), is being launched by tadea.

tadea, whose head office is in Billingham, is a not-for-profit organisation which provides advice, project management and consultancy services on carbon reduction, sustainable energy, climate change and fuel poverty for households, businesses and local authorities.

The launch will take place at RMB Toyota’s premises at Bowesfield Farm, Stockton-on-Tees (pictured) – the site of the first EVPV charging point installed in December. The project is set to provide opportunities for further investment in future carbon reduction projects across the north of England.

The event will bring together high profile figures from the business world, representatives from local government and members of other key interested parties. The launch will also be used as a platform to introduce another key area of tadea’s growth set to launch in the spring – a brand new driver training centre.

The centre, which will be based at Gateshead College and make use of Nissan’s performance test track, will promote and provide efficiency and safety training for individuals and companies involved in the motor vehicle, road haulage and passenger transport industries.

The training will help familiarise drivers with low carbon vehicles and technology, as well as preparing individuals for driving in fog, rain, wind and other adverse weather conditions.

Details of the projects being launched

 EVPV
 

The EVPV (Electric vehicle solar photovoltaic) project offsets the electricity demand created when charging electric vehicles by using solar power.

EVPV will, over time, generate new revenues for tadea, which will help form a solid foundation for company growth and diversification of the organisation’s business services. This will provide opportunities for further investment in future carbon reduction projects across the north of England. The project does not rely on investment from the participating businesses, as tadea consider covering any investment costs.

The project came about due to concern surrounding the sources of energy used to charge electric vehicles: if fossil fuels are used to generate the electricity they require, the potential environmental benefits from utilising electric vehicles are drastically reduced.

EVPV alleviates this issue by harnessing the natural power of the sun to deliver a zero ‘well to wheel’ CO₂ figure.

Importantly, tadea’s EVPV initiative supports the electric vehicle re-charging infrastructure. It brings local installers of renewable technology together as a consortium to deliver a high quantity and quality of work whilst helping to regenerate the local economy and create revenue for future investment.

The EV/PV project installs, often free of charge, 7.35 – 49kWh of solar photovoltaic panels on the roofs of businesses and other commercial properties in the North of England. These solar arrays offset the power requirements of an electric vehicle re-charging post

At RMB Toyota’s premises on Preston Farm Industrial Estate, Stockton, the additional demand for electricity will be offset by the installation of 30 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. The new charging points will complement the Charge Your Car electric vehicle infrastructure in the North East.

Five such sites are to be installed in the North East before the end of March 2012, and plans for a further 95 charging points are currently being drawn up. Proposals have also been submitted that could potentially lead to the implementation of a further 900 EV charging sites across the North of England. 

 tadea’s Driver Training Centre

tadea’s new driver training centre will be based at the Gateshead College Skills Academy for Manufacturing and Innovation.

The centre boasts fully equipped classroom facilities, state-of-the-art vehicle simulators and experienced, qualified driving instructors, all delivering training courses designed to help improve driver behaviour.

The training courses will familiarise drivers with low carbon vehicles and will promote the awareness of, and dispel the myths surrounding, this technology.

Courses also prepare drivers for adverse weather conditions and provide skills in fuel efficient motoring. Research trials conducted by the Transport Research Laboratory for the Department for Transport stated that simulator training can bring about a mean improvement in on-road fuel efficiency of 15.7%.

The centre will also help motorists adopt a safer driving style by utilising less harsh acceleration and braking techniques, and by developing improved hazard awareness and planning skills. Following driver training, fleet drivers witnessed a 48% reduction in accidents the following year when evaluated.

Paul Jackson, tadea’s Chief Executive Officer, said:

“This event marks the beginning of a very exciting period for tadea. These two projects have an incredible amount of potential – for tadea as a business and as part of the concerted effort to cut carbon emissions in the region.

“The EVPV project is revolutionising the way we power electric vehicles, and it is significantly boosting the environmental credentials of this increasingly popular mode of transportation.

“We are harnessing the power of renewable energy to offset the electricity demand required for charging electric vehicles – the environmental benefits are significant.”

“The tadea Driver Training Centre also demonstrates the potential we feel exists in the area of low carbon transport, and our key coordinating position in this sector.

“We are thrilled to be providing people with skills and experience necessary for the maintenance and use of low carbon vehicles, while increasing the levels of safety on our roads for all.

“The North East is leading the way in electric vehicle infrastructure and technology, and in providing the skills and training necessary to support it. These are fantastic times and there is a lot happening at the moment in this region. tadea are proud to play a very influential part in this.”

Richard McVay, Commercial and Sales Director at RMB Toyota, said:

“I believe that electric vehicles are important for the future of personal transport, as we have committed to reduce the impact of transport on the environment. The only way we will achieve this is by supporting projects such as EVPV, and RMB Toyota are proud to play a part in this exciting new project. 

“EVPV will give a further boost to the future of electric vehicles in the region. This project will drive home the message that this technology is here now and that local businesses are supporting the scheme now. 

“The project is win-win all the way for RMB Toyota. We will reduce costs, reduce our environmental impact, increase our employee, customer and business partners’ knowledge of the latest technology and also support a valuable local initiative to implement an infrastructure to support electric vehicles".