Electric Car Trial a Success at Durham University
May 2011
Durham University staff have been taking part in a national electric car trial and have recently completed an eight-week pilot.
Staff from the University's Events and Estates and Buildings teams have been experiencing the joys of electric car driving and had a chance to assess how the University can benefit from its use.
George Martin, from Event Durham, said: "It has been a fantastic opportunity to be part of the trial. The drive is smooth and very quiet. We see this as exciting times in the development of eco car travel. In the Event Durham team, we have to make many short journeys around the University to show our clients the facilities and in using this car we know that we are supporting the University's green strategy."
The car was,supplied by Cenex, the UK centre of excellence for low-carbon and fuel-cell technologies. They are studying the integration of electric vehicles into vehicle fleets as part of the publicly funded Smart Move trial.
The University's Carbon Management Plan was approved earlier this month and sets out how the University aims to reduce its carbon footprint by thirty per centby 2013/2014.
Professor Tim Burt, Dean of Environmental Sustainability at Durham, said: "Our commitment to convert the University's vehicle fleet to electric vehicles has moved one step closer by giving our staff the chance to experience how these cars perform with their day-to-day operations".
Kevin Turns, University Maintenance Manager, Estates and Buildings department, added: "The electric car was used by the Maintenance Team as a substitute for a traditional diesel van. The car was well used by the team and ideal for the short multiple stop and start journeys we make around the campus.
"My staff enjoyed participating in the trial and felt they were ‘doing their bit' for the environment."
The University and ONE North East have already invested in charging points at both Durham and Queen's Campus, Stockton. Available to staff, students and visitors, cars can be charged by plugging in a standard three pin plug and the point is activated using swipe card technology.
For more details about Event Durham, please contact Stina Maynard via e-mail stina.maynard@durham.ac.uk or by calling 0191 334 2883.
