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It may be more famous for its canals than its roads, but
that has not stopped the city of Amsterdam moving forward
with plans to establish itself as the global capital for electric
cars.
The city has announced plans for a new €3m fund designed
to offer grants to businesses that replace their conventional
vehicles with electric ones.
Under the scheme, grants of between €15,000 and €45,000 per
vehicle will be made available to cover up to 50 per cent
of the additional costs of buying electric vehicles compared
with conventional alternatives. Meanwhile, grants of up to
€250,000 will be on offer to businesses that commit to buying
fleets of 20 electric vehicles or more.
The grant scheme is the latest initiative to support the
city council's goal of having 200,000 battery-driven vehicles
on Amsterdam's roads by 2040.
The city's electric
vehicle scheme will also be supported by the allocation
of reserved parking spaces for electric vehicles and the installation
of 45 charging stations, rising to 200 charge points by 2012.
Energy firm Nuon will provide renewable energy for the charging
stations, which will be installed by Coulomb technologies.
Drivers of electric vehicles will be able subscribe to the
network through a website and will receive a smart card that
allows them to charge their car at any charging station.
Owners of electric cars will also be able to park at a reduced
fee and will be given priority when applying for residents'
parking permits - for which there is currently a 5-year waiting
list.
Richard Canny, chief executive of electric vehicle manufacturer
Think, which signed a deal to deliver up to 500 of its cars
to the Dutch government last year, welcomed news of the grant
scheme. "Business and enterprise is at the heart of any major
city and targeting this sector with such generous subsidies
we think will change the face of business transport in the
city," he said.
"We are increasing our EV sales forecasts in the Netherlands
on the back of this announcement and urge other forward-thinking,
green European cities to follow Amsterdam’s lead with this
marvellous initiative."
Amsterdam's canals could also yet get in on the electric
vehicle act with the council pursuing plans to switch its
tourist sightseeing boats to electric power over the next
five years.
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