Biggest ever trial of electric vehicles launched in UK

The Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Vehicle Demonstrators (CABLED) consortium, with the support from the UK government, had recently tested a total of 25 Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicles (i-MiEVs) in Birmingham. The cars were given to test drivers, including motoring expert Quentin Willson, to try the electric vehicles.

During the trials, Birmingham’s Aston University observed the cars on how they are used and assessed what infrastructures are required to accommodate widespread use of electric vehicles in the future. One of the needed infrastructures pointed out was the roll-out of charging points across the UK.

The Technology Strategy Board (TSB), a government-established body, organized the £25 million scheme to test the low carbon vehicles. CABLED is the first of eight regional teams to trial the electric cars.

TSB’s chief executive, Iain Gray, earlier said that the Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator scheme will act as a medium for the car industry, public sector and educational institutions to test low carbon-emitting vehicles. All over the UK, about 350 similar vehicles made by a number of manufacturers were tested using the funds from TSB and the Department for Transportation.

Meanwhile, ex-Top Gear host Willson said that the trial event marks the start of a massive shift on the assortment of cars available in the market and the variability of powering them. He added that the i-MiEV is the indication of a transport revolution that will ultimately change the car industry.

Cars made by other manufacturers – including Jaguar, Mercedes Benz and Tata – will also be assessed. The trial for the low carbon-emitting vehicles is scheduled to run for a year in Birmingham.