Bid to back electric car industry

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The Scottish government is being urged to take action to maintain the country's position in the electric car industry.

An alliance of organisations wants infrastructure in place for the cars to be widely used and for people to be encouraged to switch from oil.

Electric vehicles are thought to be four times more efficient than internal combustion engines.

The alliance involves both business and environmental groups.

The Scottish government is expected to publish the results of its Low Carbon Vehicle consultation during Spring 2010.

Glasgow-based electric vehicle manufacturer, Allied Vehicles, Dundee-based lithium-ion battery manufacturers Axeon and WWF Scotland jointly praised the ambition shown by Scottish ministers but said there was "no room for delay" in pushing forward the industry.

We urge ministers to do everything in their power to enable the rapid roll-out of electric vehicles throughout Scotland Dr Sam GardnerWWF

Dr Sam Gardner, from WWF, said the government needed "a rapid stepping up" to encourage the widespread use of electric cars.

He added: "2010 is the year we must get things moving on electric vehicles in Scotland.

"We urge ministers to do everything in their power to enable the rapid roll-out of electric vehicles throughout Scotland.

"Alongside measures to get people out of their cars, a switch to electric vehicles is going to be an essential part of tackling climate change. Scotland needs to embrace electric vehicles and start planning the infrastructure to make it happen."

Paul Nelson, managing director of Allied Electric, said the new vehicles were "paramount" to the reduction of carbon emissions, and the industry would stimulate employment in the country.

He said: "It is essential we fight to hold onto the lead we have worked so hard to gain as it has the potential to create hundreds of much needed manufacturing jobs which are now few and far between as a result of the economic crisis."

Lawrence Berns, chief executive officer of Axeon, added that the company "strongly supports" initiatives taken by the government to accelerate the take-up of electric vehicles in Scotland.