Electric cars to be Perth’s norm by 2020, environment expert will tell conference
Self-driving electric vehicles may make car parks obsolete in cities such as Perth, it has been claimed.
And that could reduce urban air pollution to almost zero, says an expert on smart cities.
Simon Tricker, speaking ahead of Scottish Renewables’first Low-Carbon Cities Conference, told how a combination of shared data, battery power and selfdriving technology would render conventional pay and display slots pointless.
Simon, of smart cities specialists UrbanTide, said:“Scottish local authorities are already thinking about what city streets will look like in a decade’s time – and the answers are pretty astounding.
Scottish Government Transport Minister Humza Yousaf
“By 2030 self-driving electric vehicles are likely to be commonplace.
“Current figures show that cars are sitting idle for around 95 per cent of the day, and this is technology which could put them to use for far more of the time.
“Self-driving cars won’t need parking spaces in cities – they’re likely to be rented rather than owned and will just head off and carry out their next journey after dropping passengers off.
“The pace at which electric vehicle technology is developing means they’re also likely to be electric, so will produce zero emissions as they’re driven.”
The bold vision of the future emerged as Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP, Murdo Fraser questioned the Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser reliability of electric charging points which supply the current array of electric vehicles, following information revealed in a parliamentary question.
In an answer to a question on December 6, Scottish Government Transport Minister Humza Yousaf, confirmed that 7 per cent of Scotland’s electric charging points were out-of- service.
There are more than 600 charging points on the Scottish network which could mean that 42 points were unable to charge cars on that day.
Mr Fraser said:“We all want to go green, but that becomes difficult if a significant number of the electric vehicle charging points are not working.
“The Scottish Government has confirmed that the number of charging point users has doubled between 2015 and 2016. However, if this pattern is to continue then we will need charging bays to work more efficiently.
“I am pleased to note the Scottish Government is working on a new branding strategy as well as an audit of the current set up. Clearly there is huge potential for electric vehicles, we just need to exploit it better.
“It becomes clear from looking at the map that there is also a real rural and urban divide when it comes to charging bays. More needs to be done to ensure those living out with major centres can purchase an electric car.”
Scottish Renewables Low-Carbon Cities Conference is being held in Edinburgh on February 22. A Tesla electric car