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In the North East region of England, smartCEM pilots will expand upon on-going research trials with electric cars.
With a population of around 2.58 million the North East includes two 'city regions' (Tyne & Wear and Tees Valley) which dominate the region's demography and economic geography. Despite the large geographic spread of the region, official UK Department for Transport (DfT) statistics show that the North East region actually has the lowest number of vehicle miles travelled of all UK regions. Travel patterns in the region are typically focussed on the major urban areas.
The relatively short nature of journeys within the region has allowed North East England to be the first region in the UK, and Europe, to put itself firmly behind the commitment to reduce CO2 emissions. In 2010 the UK Government recognised the leading role that region was playing in the development of low carbon technologies and gave the region a 'Low Carbon Economic Area' status for the UK.
The Newcastle pilot site in smartCEM will be based on the existing knowledge on electric vehicles. More specifically, the activities will involve compact urban electric cars, and will implement the eco-driving driver interface of smartCEM into these vehicles. This will allow the services provided in smartCEM to be tested and evaluated on a sizable fleet of electric vehicles which are at an advanced level of technological maturity.
| Available vehicles (buses and cars): | 44 electric cars |
| Available charging points: |
200+ currently, but will increase to 1.300 |