Electric vehicle scheme goes live

Transport for Greater Manchester

The Greater Manchester Electric Vehicle (GMEV) scheme, a new electric vehicle charging point network and pay as you go programme, led by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), will launch on Sunday 28 July.

The GMEV scheme will see more than 250 charging bays across the ten Greater Manchester districts go live, including, River Street in Rochdale and Middleton Arena car park - providing commuters with the infrastructure to charge electric vehicles.

The GMEV scheme will be operated by Charge Your Car (CYC) a leader in EV charging networks. CYC will manage the payments and access to the GMEV scheme on behalf of TfGM.

Private sector partners, such as NCP, Manchester Central, Manchester Metropolitan University, Salford University and intu Trafford Centre are also on board, providing their own charging bays to supplement the network.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chairman of TfGM committee, said: "Safe and dependable transport is essential to the region and to the economy but we are also working with our partners to provide more sustainable, low-carbon travel choices: be it bus, rail, tram, bike or cars. 

"Through the GMEV network, we are building a more connected city with greater, greener transport options available for both residents and visitors."

Norman Baker, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, said: "It’s initiatives like the GMEV charging scheme that are bringing to life the Coalition Government’s ambition to put in place a comprehensive and effective national infrastructure. This will enable ultra low emission drivers to make the journeys that they need to."

A consortium from Greater Manchester, led by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA), secured £1.7 million of support through the Office for Low Emission Vehicle’s (OLEV) funded ‘Plugged In Places’ scheme. The scheme has also received a further £1 million from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).

Customers wishing to use the charging bays will be able to do so from 28 July. They will be able to register through the TfGM website and receive an access card in the post, register via a mobile app downloadable from the website or simply pay as you go by phone.

As an introductory offer, GMEV users will be able to charge their Electric Vehicles for free*. The full pricing structure for users of the GMEV scheme will be announced in the autumn.

Recharging a typical EV (7kwh/32amp capability) fully in a GMEV bay will take approximately three to four hours – up to three times faster than charging at home.

Transport represents one of the largest sources of CO2 emissions in the UK, with road transport making up over 90 per cent of this. The largest share of which comes from cars.

The Committee on Climate Change – the Government’s climate advisors – says that the UK is forecast to have 1.7 million electric vehicles on the road by 2020 helping to meet carbon reduction targets.

Legally binding emission reduction targets are also in place to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 34 per cent by 2020. Greater Manchester is signed up to these reductions – a goal that can be reached with electrical vehicles in a pivotal role. EVs have zero emissions at point of use and have lower carbon emissions overall. These emissions can drop further still as electricity production decarbonises through an increase in low carbon generation.

It is also an economical choice for many businesses to use electric vehicles for fleet purposes and Manchester businesses are also coming on board to install their own charge points.

A map with all current locations can be found at ev.tfgm.com

Local locations:

• River Street, Rochdale
• Middleton Arena car park

In addition to the existing infrastructure installed, TfGM, continue to work with the ten districts and private partners to continue to expand the GMEV network by providing more fast charge points, and some new rapid charge points during 2013/2014.