Manchester Electric Car Company opens for business

A consortium from Greater Manchester, led by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities secured £3.6million of support through the Government funded ‘Plugged-In Places’ scheme.

But this is a scheme with a difference. The Government funds have been matched by a private consortium led by Manchester Electric Car Company, a new private sector company which will manage and deliver Manchester Electric along with its partners.

But it doesn’t stop there. Manchester Electric is not only a new network of  charging points, there are also six larger Pod Centres - to be launched across Greater Manchester over the next two years starting this autumn.

The state-of-the-art Pod Centres are places where people can go to buy a range of electric vehicles including cars, vans, scooters and bikes. There will also be centres where drivers can lease, hire and charge EVs, as well as being able to join an electric car club, shop or buy a coffee. Domestic smart charging systems will also be available – enabling drivers to charge their vehicles at home.

Staff in the Pod Centres will be on hand to educate drivers about EVs as well as offering vehicle sales and hire, after sales care and retail facilities. The medium term plan is to establish around 25 Pod Centres around Greater Manchester.

Fast and rapid charging points

In addition there will be around 300 charge points across Greater Manchester where commuters can charge EVs through fast and rapid points. As a guide, a fast charge point (32amp) charges a vehicle in two-to-three hours and a rapid charge point takes around 30 minutes. The programme to establish the network of charging points will be delivered over a two-year period.

Ron Stratton Chief Executive Officer of  Manchester Electric Car Company, said: ‘Electric vehicles, from family cars to scooters or fleet vehicles, are going to transform the way we live and work. With new vehicles being released by major manufacturers, and with the cost of motoring continuing to rise, now is the time to switch over. The future is electric. These charging points and Pod Centres are just the start. I expect to oversee a tenfold increase in the number of charging points over the next few years.’