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Nature FeaturesYou are in: Jersey > Nature > Nature Features > An electric future for Jersey cars?  Is it time to move away from petrol? An electric future for Jersey cars?By Claire Peters Jersey could take part in a four-year trial of the world's first purely electric cars. One of the cars is in the island this week. It can reach speeds of up to 70mph, it’s silent, it’s environmentally friendly, and it’s in Jersey. One hundred electric Smart cars are being trialled across the UK, and one of them is in the island for a week. Jersey has been identified as an ideal trial location for the world’s first purely electric car. The island could take part in the wider four-year trial of the car if this week is deemed a success.  Electric cars would require a "change in mind-set" Perfect on paperProject manager for the Smart Ed, Tom Morrison-Jones, told BBC Radio Jersey he was particularly keen to include the island in the trial: “Jersey just on paper looks like the perfect place for this car. “You’ve got very short drive cycles, you have a very sustainable form of electricity and you have some interesting gradients.”  BBC Jersey's Suzi Steer-Fowler tried out the car 'Really test it'He explained historically electric cars, which can travel up to 70 miles on one charge, had struggled with hills so he was eager to see how this one faired on island roads. “The easiest thing in the world would be to place them all in London in the congestion zone,” he said. “But we’ve been keen to put the car into places that will really test it.” The electric car could find its place in the hire car market in Jersey according to Mr Morrison-Jones. He said “initial indications” about the idea were “very encouraging”.  The Smart Ed takes seven hours to fully charge The right timeThe commercial director of Jersey Electricity Company, Richard Plaster, told BBC Radio Jersey the time was right for the electric vehicle in the island. He explained that while his company had an obvious interest in vehicles powered by electricity, he felt it was important to look for more environmentally conscious ways of getting about. “There is an environmental side to this as well, in terms of taking emissions off the road and using a low Co2 fuel for transportation.” Mr Plaster said all energies have an environmental impact, but because Jersey gets most of its electricity from nuclear plants it is the greenest form of fuel in the island.  Tom Morrison-Jones brought the Smart Ed to Jersey More efficient?Electric cars are also more efficient to run, according to the commercial director. “We expect it to be a lower cost per mile in terms of the amount of money you have to spend on your fuel.” The car takes eight hours to charge fully from empty, something both men admit will need a change in driver habits if it’s to take off. “I think it requires a change in mindset,” explained Mr Morrison-Jones. “Part of this trial is to see if we can achieve that change in behaviour.” Have your sayWould you be keen to see electric cars in the island? If they were to be mass-produced for the commercial market would you buy one? Do you have any other ideas how to lower carbon emissions on Jersey roads? last updated: 22/04/2008 at 16:20 Have Your SayShare your thoughts on green car transport in Jersey. Kenneth Destinova Tom Ed Sherlock Graeme what?! Carl Roger Noel Average Joe Turbo B Ashley F SEE ALSOYou are in: Jersey > Nature > Nature Features > An electric future for Jersey cars?    |
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