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Ecotricity launches world’s first national motorway charging network for electric cars

  Monday, 8 August 2011

Green energy firm Ecotricity has launched the world’s first national motorway charging network for electric vehicles in the UK.

British owners of electric cars are being handed the chance to hit the open road with free power points installed at 12 Welcome Break service stations dotted across the country, with a further 17 points promised later this year.

Prior to this landmark moment, a lack of charging points on motorways and in major towns and cities has made long journeys impractical for electric car owners.

Dale Vince, Ecotricity founder, said: “There’s a bit of the chicken and egg situation going on.

“People are not buying electric cars because they’re not sure about charging, and people aren’t putting charging points up because [not many are] buying electric cars.”

The power outlets installed at Welcome Break’s service stations will provide two types of sockets – a three-pin socket for a 13A current supply and a seven-pin socket for a more powerful 32A supply.

In order to charge your electric vehicle using a 13A current supply, you are likely to be waiting up to 12 hours, while opting for the higher current option will re-charge a vehicle in as little as 20 minutes, fully charging a car within the hour.

“In the time it takes you to get a cup of coffee and a sandwich, you can charge your car,” added Mr Vince.

At present drivers thinking of buying an electric car can receive up to £5,000 towards the cost of an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle.

If your current vehicle is coming to the end of its life you may wish to consider scrapping it and putting any cash saved towards a new electric car.

Our efficient vehicle dismantling yard at ASM Auto Recycling contains state-of-the-art de-pollution rigs enabling the swift processing of abandoned and end-of-life vehicles in accordance with the existing European ELV directive.

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