The announcement that the UK is to undertake a trial of electric vehicles demonstrates the country is moving in the right direction, it has been said.
Advantage West Midlands revealed that 25 Misubishi in-wheel motor electric vehicles will be given to independent drivers in the West Midlands to test over the next 12 months.
Richard Bremner, editor of Clean Green Cars, believes the scheme shows a commitment from the government, which will help raise awareness of electric vehicles.
People will be more likely to see them out and about, he suggested, which may resort in more drivers opting for eco-friendly vehicles.
"More useful though is the accelerated roll-out of recharging posts and the plans of various mainstream manufacturers to retail electric cars from late next year," Mr Bremner claimed.
He noted that the likes of BMW, Nissan, Renault and Mitsubishi are already lined up to sell the vehicles, giving consumers more choice when it comes to buying an eco-friendly car.
In recent weeks, The Toyota Motor Corporation announced the introduction of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, a plug-in model of the third-generation Prius petrol-electric hybrid vehicle.
It will be made available in a number of key markets - including Japan, the US and Europe - where a total of 600 units will be provided in the first half of next year.
Out of the vehicles supplied to Japan, 230 will be given to local governments, companies and government ministries.
It is gestures such as this which will increase public awareness of the vehicles, Mr Bremner suggested, which may be seen as one of the main barriers currently facing the electric car market.
He continued: "I would say that 2009 was the year that the electric car began to get some proper momentum behind it here, and 2010 should see the wider public beginning to think that electric cars really are a practical possibility."
Advancements still need to be made to electric vehicles, the expert revealed, as many have "ranges of 100 miles at best".
Nonetheless, this is a start and the cars could be useful for commuters or those who want a second or third vehicle, he claimed.
The Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Vehicle Demonstrators (Cabled) consortium, which is involved in the UK trial of electric vehicles, believes the cars will become commercially viable by 2020.
Cabled, the largest of eight teams participating in the Technology Strategy Board's Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator competition, will be trialling 100 vehicles on the roads of Birmingham and Coventry.
Mr Bremner believes a renewed interest in electric cars will help the UK compete on an international stage, although some countries are already miles ahead.
He named Israel, Denmark and Portugal as some of the main players at the moment.
"I suspect the story would be different if we still had significant indigenous car makers here - the closest now are Indian-owned Jaguar Land Rover, which carries out all design and engineering," the expert claimed.
London will likely take well to the electric charging station infrastructure which is needed, Mr Bremner indicated, although he highlighted that people need to be given fiscal incentives to encourage more people to drive the cars.
He noted that this would lie with the next government, which would have to decide on this "critical issue".
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