Latest news with #QuentinWillson
Business Post
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- Business Post
Time is now for green manufacturing
Quentin Willson, a name synonymous with motoring, said he believes the convergence of environmental imperatives and geopolitical shifts has created a unique opening for a renaissance in green manufacturing. Electric vehicles (EVs) are only a part of this, but they are a significant part, and it has taken a very long time for the modern EV to prove itself as a viable mode of transportation. Now that it has done so, however, the EV is emblematic of the opportunities ahead. 'The moment I realised it was the future was in California in 1987, when I drove the General Motors EV1,' Willson said. Progress was slow – until it wasn't. Today, EVs are not only a realistic alternative to cars with internal combustion engines, but are rapidly becoming the first choice for drivers and policymakers alike. Just the last decade has seen a huge leap in EV range and the rollout of charging infrastructure. 'I bought my first EV in 2009; it did 50 miles and the kids had to keep their scarves and hats on, on the school run, as the heater reduced it to 30,' Willson said. Today it is a rather different story – and Willson would know. A noted automotive author and, most famously, a former presenter of Fifth Gear, Top Gear, and The Car's the Star, Britain's three best-known motoring television programmes, Willson has long been associated with the cutting edge of automotive technology and consumer trends. He has also been a voice for change, for example campaigning against artificially high car prices in the 1990s. Today, however, the green transition is what interests Willson. It is not just a case of wanting to be green, though. Yes, Willson said, having environmental sensibilities – and acting on them – is important in itself, but there is another factor to consider: the economy. The need for an energy transition away from fossil fuels is well understood. What may be less known, he said, is that this creates new opportunities for industry. 'We need to think about the geopolitical shifts here and to look again at manufacturing. We need to look at the opportunities for green manufacturing – for solar, for EVs – and to see the signs that are out there,' he said. The signs are clear for all to see. Indeed, US tariff policies that have caused panic among trading nations have simply added the case for creating new, green supply chains. Consequently, Willson said, there is now an opportunity to reassess manufacturing and our approach to it, and build a productive base in the green manufacturing sectors whose products we need today. 'We just heard from the IEA [International Energy Agency] that oil is at historic lows as a primary energy source, and we know that companies are not looking at deepwater drilling. This means we are at a special moment,' he said. This does not mean nostalgically hoping yesterday's sunset industries spring back to life. Instead, Willson said, counties such as his own, Ireland, and others across Europe should be looking at how they can become hubs for the burgeoning green technology sector. We need to start thinking about how we attract that capital, those investments, those factories, because we have an opportunity to direct it towards what is going to be a green transition. Willson will underscore this message in June when he speaks at Manufacturing Solutions, the collaborative manufacturing event which is returning to the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Coonagh Campus. Founded in 2016, Manufacturing Solutions Ireland is a collaborative event run by TUS in conjunction with engineering and manufacturing trade body GTMA. At the event, Willson's presentation will explore manufacturing opportunities in electric vehicle batteries and components, something he said has the scope to not only create high-paying jobs, but revitalise the sector, while meeting key political goals including securing supply chains and driving a shift to sustainability. 'We need to start thinking about how we attract that capital, those investments, those factories, because we have an opportunity to direct it towards what is going to be a green transition,' he said. Looking to his own country, Willson said that in spite of real challenges, the public embrace of EVs was clear. 'At the moment Britain has the highest electricity costs in Europe because of a decline in the grid (but we will get that done) and yet there is an amazing shift going on. We sold the most EVs [in Europe] in March and one in four cars sold today are electric cars, meaning we're outpacing Germany and France,' he said. The upshot is that as new and ever-better components are needed, and indeed as old supply chains shift, there is an opportunity to establish robust domestic and regional green manufacturing capabilities. 'We need to make the batteries here, the battery management systems, the chargers…, our reliance on China is unsustainable,' Willson said. For Willson, this isn't just an environmental imperative, but a strategic economic necessity. 'It's time for the government and SMEs to say that there is a very bright future for manufacturing,' he said.
Telegraph
07-04-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Britain's ‘largest on-street electric vehicle charging project' announced
A project said to be the UK's largest installation of on-street electric vehicle (EV) chargers has been announced. Charge point operator said it would install more than 6,000 kerbside chargers for Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC) after securing a £130 million contract. The rollout of public EV charging is seen as vital to persuade drivers without off-road parking to switch to electric motoring. Installing street chargers near homes will reduce the need for people to drive to a charging station, and enable more motorists to take advantage of cheaper overnight electricity rates. BHCC is one of the first local authorities to use the Government's Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (Levi) funding. The scheme supports local authorities in England to plan and deliver charging infrastructure for residents without off-street parking. Lilian Greenwood, the future of roads minister, said making EV charging as easy as possible was ' crucial to making the switch to electric a success '. She went on: 'Rolling out over 6,000 chargers across Brighton and Hove will make driving an electric vehicle easier and more convenient, especially for those without a driveway. 'It will power growth, cut emissions and improve lives in Brighton and Hove and beyond, as we continue to create jobs, attract investment and secure our future.' Quentin Willson, founder of EV lobby group FairCharge, said: 'Such a huge and very visible deployment of on-street chargers will help create consumer confidence in charging infrastructure. 'It will also show other local authorities that with ambition and Government Levi funding, it's possible to offer chargers to the neglected 30 per cent of EV drivers who can't charge at home.' Fifteen-year contract has been given a 15-year contract to operate and maintain the charging network. John Lewis, its chief executive, described the announcement as 'a huge moment for the UK and its EV ambitions' which would 'bring the UK meaningfully closer to ... sustainability goals '. He said: 'This partnership alone will empower thousands of residents to confidently make the switch to electric vehicles, knowing they have easy access to chargers.' Last month the Department for Transport (DfT) said the number of public EV charging devices installed in the UK had exceeded 75,000. A report published by public spending watchdog the National Audit Office in December found the rollout of public EV chargers was 'on track' to meet the 300,000 the DfT estimated would be the minimum needed by 2030. There are more than 680,000 domestic charge points in England alone. The Government has pledged to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2030.
The Independent
13-02-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Drivers call for green signs to highlight EV chargers
Three out of four (77%) prospective electric vehicle (EV) drivers believe signage around public chargers should turn green to help them stand out, a new survey suggests. Existing signs indicating the location of chargers feature the traditional blue P parking symbol. More than half (51%) of respondents to the survey of 8,268 AA members who said they would consider buying an EV in the future were in favour of chargers having totem pole pricing boards, as is the case at fuel forecourts. Jack Cousens, AA Some 52% of those polled would support charge point locations being included in built-in sat navs for petrol and diesel cars. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said: 'While it's great to see charging infrastructure installed across the country, there is a danger that many units are hiding in plain sight. 'Often it is small changes that make a big difference, and if a green P will help highlight the network and give more confidence to those looking to switch to electric, then it seems a sensible upgrade to make.' Quentin Willson, founder of FairCharge and advisory board member of EVUK, which are both pro-EV groups, said: 'We're one of the only countries in Europe that has no policy to develop clear EV charging signage for consumers. 'Out-of-date highways legislation and commercial contracts with food and coffee operators are two of the reasons our motorways don't have signs to tell drivers where the next charging station is. 'And for those non-EV drivers who worry about infrastructure, signage would help reassure them that there are already 74,000 public chargers in operation. 'The Government not resolving the conspicuous lack of EV charging signage on our road networks is become ridiculous.' A Government spokesperson said: 'With over 74,000 public charge points across the UK – and 54 added everyday in 2024 – we are continuously exploring ways to make electric vehicle drivers aware of the rapidly growing network. 'Drivers can already locate charge points on apps like Google Maps and Wayze, and traffic signing incorporating an EV symbol is already being used, but we are working to improve signage for charging facilities along our major roads.' – The survey was conducted by research company Yonder in January.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Drivers call for green signs to highlight EV chargers
Three out of four (77%) prospective electric vehicle (EV) drivers believe signage around public chargers should turn green to help them stand out, a new survey suggests. Existing signs indicating the location of chargers feature the traditional blue P parking symbol. More than half (51%) of respondents to the survey of 8,268 AA members who said they would consider buying an EV in the future were in favour of chargers having totem pole pricing boards, as is the case at fuel forecourts. Some 52% of those polled would support charge point locations being included in built-in sat navs for petrol and diesel cars. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said: 'While it's great to see charging infrastructure installed across the country, there is a danger that many units are hiding in plain sight. 'Often it is small changes that make a big difference, and if a green P will help highlight the network and give more confidence to those looking to switch to electric, then it seems a sensible upgrade to make.' Quentin Willson, founder of FairCharge and advisory board member of EVUK, which are both pro-EV groups, said: 'We're one of the only countries in Europe that has no policy to develop clear EV charging signage for consumers. 'Out-of-date highways legislation and commercial contracts with food and coffee operators are two of the reasons our motorways don't have signs to tell drivers where the next charging station is. 'And for those non-EV drivers who worry about infrastructure, signage would help reassure them that there are already 74,000 public chargers in operation. 'The Government not resolving the conspicuous lack of EV charging signage on our road networks is become ridiculous.' A Government spokesperson said: 'With over 74,000 public charge points across the UK – and 54 added everyday in 2024 – we are continuously exploring ways to make electric vehicle drivers aware of the rapidly growing network. 'Drivers can already locate charge points on apps like Google Maps and Wayze, and traffic signing incorporating an EV symbol is already being used, but we are working to improve signage for charging facilities along our major roads.' – The survey was conducted by research company Yonder in January.
