Low-carbon vehicle plans

Regional development agency, One North East, is expected to unveil its low-carbon vehicle plans at the Cenex National Low Carbon Vehicle Event this month.

A group of experts will be joining regional and international partners in the development of low-carbon vehicles and a charging infrastructure plan in the Low Carbon Economic Area covering Sunderland, South Tyneside and the Easington District.

Chris Pywell, head of strategic economic change at One North East, said: ‘This is already a very important event for the low-carbon vehicle industry and a strong delegation will represent the region.

‘The government has placed north-east England at the forefront of its low-carbon industrial strategy and we and our partners will be showcasing what the region has to offer to a host of potential investors operating in this field.’

The north east is currently home to Nissan’s Sunderland factory, which was recently named as the company’s European ‘Mother Plant’ for electric battery production, as well as Smith Electric Vehicles. Both companies are working alongside AVID Vehicles and Newcastle University to develop new electric passenger vehicles in the region.