Pictures taken on the day added - If you need pictures for a press article we have plenty !

Use the "contact" facility at the top of the page.

Post Event Release:

Green thinking as Portsmouth event promotes electric vehicle sector

Businesses across the South are well placed to share in the rapidly growing electric vehicle market, an event in Portsmouth heard today.  

The Electric Vehicle Forum attracted more than 150 visitors who discussed the potential for a supply chain to support the building of low carbon cars, bikes and vans.

The audience included chief executives, technology experts and researchers from component making companies to universities. 

Arthur Monks,  Director at SolentHub, which organised the forum, said: “The event clearly struck a rich vein of interest and we will be following up to help people get more involved and share in the opportunities.”

Keynote speaker Dave Greenwood, technology and strategy director at automotive engineering giant Ricardo, told the audience that government targets were steadily moving car manufacturers towards more electric vehicle production.

He said: “Electric vehicles have a role to play, particularly in urban and suburban journeys, but there is still work to do especially in electricity charging mechanisms and battery development. The next ten years will be a very exciting time for companies to be around the automotive industry.”

Visitors took the chance to test drive a number of electric vehicles on show at the forum including the Electric Lightning GT luxury sports car, an e-Zone electric van and a series of electrically assisted Powabykes. 

Companies taking part included Solent Composite Systems from the Isle of Wight, Segensworth-based TÜV Product Service and STS Defence in Gosport.

Also attending were experts from the universities of Warwick and Brighton, both centres of excellence in automotive research.

Last minute entry - Electric MIni

Lightning Supercar - First Showing in the South

The Lightning GT will be built in the UK and bristle with the latest technology and proven mechanicals from the UK and some from the rest of Europe. We are proud to be attending and hope we can meet people from the region who would be interested in working with us on this and future Lightning cars. We also seeking joint investment partners to ensure we produce the world's best and most exclusive supercar.

What some of the exhibitors are saying:

Electric vehicle supplier Metroelectric is using the forum to celebrate the UK arrival of its new two-seater e-Zone built by South Korean manufacturer CT & T.

Car and van versions of the e-Zone will be available for test drives at the event along with Metroelectric’s Powabyke range of electrically assisted bikes.     

Metroelectric CEO Greg Collier said: “The South already has a healthy technology sector staffed by people who are happy to embrace change and lead the new green revolution, so the event is ideal if they are thinking of switching to the automotive industry.”

Also among the exhibitors is the Isle of Wight-based engineering solutions company Solent Composite Systems. It supplies precision mouldings to clients around the world working in offshore oil and gas, renewable energy and specialist automotive and aerospace sectors.

Huw Radley, Managing Director, said: “Solent Composites already has a particular strength in the design and development of unique or one-off designs where innovative solutions to manufacture are required. We would be delighted to play a part in supporting a regional supply chain for electric vehicles and are very much looking forward to the event.”

Other exhibitors include Segensworth-based TÜV Product Service, part of the TÜV SÜD Group, one of the world’s leading technical solutions providers. Rob Greenwood, Head of Marketing, said: “We support manufacturers throughout the e-mobility value chain from electric vehicle components and systems to batteries and charging infrastructure. We add real value to a myriad of industries by providing testing, certification, inspection, training and consulting services.”

Keynote speaker at the forum is industry leader Dave Greenwood, technology and strategy director at automotive engineering giant Ricardo.    

Also attending are experts from the University of Warwick, a centre of excellence in automotive research. Dr Mike Ahearne, the University’s Business Engagement Manager, said: “We are currently working on a number of low-carbon R&D projects in partnership with some of the UK’s most high-profile companies. We also support programmes that assist a wide range of SMEs involved in the automotive supply chain. Our latest facility is a £2.3 million research centre focusing on electric and hybrid electric power trains.”

Karen Tyrell, General Manager at event venue 1000 Lakeside, said: "Our facilities, location and commitment to green transport mean we are ideally suited to hosting such an innovative event as the Electric Vehicle Forum. It's an ideal opportunity for local companies to come in and discuss the technology and business issues involved in electric vehicle manufacture in a fabulous, forward looking setting."  

Invest in Portsmouth promote the event:

http://invest-in-portsmouth.co.uk/news_display.php?id=172

SMMT Promoting the event:

http://www.smmt.co.uk/events_exhibitions/event.cfm?event=22513

Marine Southeast encourages its members to look at this new market:

http://www.marinesoutheast.co.uk/news/collection/more/?id=2483&coll=48

Global Post covers the Forum:

http://www.globalpost.com/webblog/wheels/the-electric-vehicle-forum-set-portsmouth

The Green Car Website, an industry leading site covers the Forum:

http://www.thegreencarwebsite.co.uk/blog/index.php/2010/10/25/the-electric-vehicle-forum-set-for-portsmouth/

Southern Daily Echo:

Gear up for a boom in electric vehicles

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/8458507.Gear_up_for_a_boom_in_electric_vehicles/