Wednesday, 13th October 2010 - 14:15

ITS United Kingdom launches Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Working Group

ITS (UK) has recently demonstrated its commitment to assisting research and development in the development of the infrastructure for electric vehicles through the establishment of the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Working Group (EVIWG). This Group, set up under the aegis of the Smart Environment Interest Group (SEIG), is assessing the ITS implications and opportunities associated with the electricity recharging infrastructure currently being installed as part of the UK’s ‘Plugged-in-Places’ programme. Interest in this area followed ITS (UK)’s invitation to attend the IET’s Stakeholder Group meeting where there was unanimous concern regarding the lack of coordination across the whole spectrum of electric vehicle development but in particular the dearth of attention towards the essential infrastructure. ITS (UK) recognises that it has expertise in this area and can capitalise on its considerable knowledge and experience in the ‘back-office’, fiscal charging and data transfer options. At its inaugural meeting the EVIWG confirmed its vision and ratified its terms of reference in addition to determining a ‘plan of action’ and agreeing a structured programme for the next twelve months. The ‘plan of action’ includes regular progress reports to the ITS (UK) Council regarding appropriate EV Infrastructure Standards (including ITS implications), liaison with interested Governmental departments and related agencies/bodies, including ETI and OLEV. 

A range of private and public sector members have already become members of the EVIWG since its inception in early September and it is expected that this will grow once the preliminary findings from the Strategic Planning Roadmap workshop are circulated. The workshop was held in Newcastle under the direction of Dr David Beeton from OneNE; as Newcastle is one of the UK’s current ‘Plugged-in-Places’ there is a vested interest in supporting this work. The workshop helped identify the ITS capabilities in relation to supporting electric vehicle infrastructure requirements. Although the full findings have to be circulated there is no doubt that despite the significant steps in the development of the electric vehicles, the battery technology and the recharging systems and protocols there is a substantial gap in the provision of the related data exchange/transfer that are necessary to ensure that the adoption of electric vehicles is both publicly acceptable and commercially viable.
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There is burgeoning global interest and commitment in this area and the EVIWG intends keep other interested parties, such as ITS America, ERTICO, ITS National Network of Associations and ITS (UK)’s Low Carbon Working Group, fully appraised of ongoing progress. One of the EVIWG’s intentions is to establish Special Sessions at the ITS Europe 2011 Conference, Lyon, France and the ITS World Congress 2011, Atlanta, USA on the themes of electric vehicle infrastructures and the ITS implications. In this way it is hoped that this pioneering work will guarantee that ITS (UK) remains at the forefront of expertise in this potential business area.
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Picture courtesy of One North East

ENQUIRIES:
For further information, please contact:
Neal Skelton
ITS (UK) Tel:
+44(0) 774 0375 962
Email:
nealskelton@btinternet.com

Notes to editors:
ITS UNITED KINGDOM, the UK association for the promotion of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), is a not-for-profit public/private sector association financed by members' subscriptions, and provides a forum for all organisations concerned with ITS. We work to bring the benefits that ITS can offer in terms of economic efficiency, transport safety, and environmental benefits to the United Kingdom - and at the same time expand the ITS market.
The membership, over 160 UK organisations, comprises Government Departments, Local Authorities, Police Forces, consultants, manufacturing and service companies, and academic and research institutions.