University electric vehicles

Manchester City Council is launching a short film to show the innovative ways electric vehicles (EVs) can deliver economic and environmental benefits. You can watch it here.

The film showcases EVs and electric assist cargo bikes in Corridor Manchester, the city’s innovation district along Oxford Road. This is all part of Triangulum, funded by the European Commission and helping the three cities of Manchester, Eindhoven (Netherlands) & Stavanger (Norway) to reduce carbon and make energy savings.

Manchester City Council is leading the Manchester delivery, working with The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University to help transform their fleets.

Here at the University we have changed seven of our diesel operational services vans for EVs improving local air quality and eliminating tailpipe emissions. The Council is also promoting the use of eBikes for local deliveries, taking advantage of the new traffic restrictions along Oxford Road. Our IT Services have also trialled the eBikes. Cargo bikes are available on a free trial for local businesses. The data from both the EVs and bikes is being used to develop to a greater understanding of mobility in the city.

Speaking about the project, the Leader of Manchester City Council, Sir Richard Leese says: “Manchester needs to generate growth and create more jobs, but we need to do that in a way that is environmentally sustainable. Using new disruptive technologies and sharing knowledge is the most effective way to achieve that, and being a smart city is Manchester’s future.”

Triangulum is the €25m Horizon 2020 project funded by the European Commission (2015 to 2020) to demonstrate cutting edge smart city technologies and roll them out across the world.

The city is working with The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, Siemens, Clicks and Links and European collaborators to demonstrate ‘smart green growth’ to reduce carbon emissions while boosting the economy. €9m is being invested in Manchester.