A Dundee company that makes batteries for electric vehicles has urged the Scottish Government to take the lead in promoting their use.
Lawrence Berns, chief executive of Axeon, was speaking at the publication of a report by WWF Scotland on how the Scottish Government can achieve its targets for reducing carbon emissions.
The report, Powering Ahead: How to put Electric Cars on Scotland’s Roads, claims electric vehicles will need to replace around 300,000 standard cars in the next decade if those targets are to be met.
Dr Richard Dixon, director of WWF Scotland said: ”Making Scotland a world leader in the race to an all-electric future could reap huge rewards including reducing emissions, tackling air quality, driving innovation and investment in a new industry.
”Our report recognises there will be challenges on the way to achieving this vision, but sets out solutions to help make this a reality. The first step to reaching our goal is for the Scottish Government to publish an action plan setting out its vision for the role of electric cars in a sustainable transport future.”
Mr Berns added: ”We have been encouraged by the steps taken already by the Scottish government to promote the public procurement of electric vehicles.
”Electric vehicle technology is here now and we urge the Scottish Government to continue to support this growing industry, which has the potential both to tackle climate change and to create new jobs.”
Transport Minister Keith Brown said: ”We have already invested over £8 million to support public bodies in switching to electric vehicles and installing charging points.
”We recognise that more can be done, and we are working with a range of stakeholders to develop our strategy and maximise the longer-term economic development potential for Scottish businesses in the electric vehicle sector.”
Axeon designed the special battery system the largest ever built for a passenger car for the experimental 102EX Rolls-Royce Phantom Experimental Electric (link).