With CO2 emissions reaching record levels perhaps it’s time for the NHS to get in the driving seat and convert its non-emergency vehicles to electric power
Like most men, I can be obsessive. My latest obsession is collecting press stories about how good electric cars are becoming. My scrapbook is filling up fast what with the launch of Nissan’s Leaf and the Source charging point network across London.
I do it because the ‘inconvenient truth’ got to me. I worry about climate change and the world we are passing on to our grandchildren. More immediately, I have concerns about the economy, the lack of growth in it and the impact that will have on my daughter’s life prospects.
The latest news about the economy and the massive growth in CO2 emissions in 2010 makes me even more nervous. According to the International Energy Agency, energy-related carbon emissions reached a record level last year.
But I have an idea that could be the politician’s dream: a win-win on growth and climate change.
When I was chair of an NHS trust I learnt that the health service is one of the most significant contributor’s to the UK’s CO2 emissions. I also learnt that the public get very wound up about car park charges at hospitals even though its clearly the most sensible thing to do economically – charging for the use of a valuable asset i.e. land – but also socially so as to encourage a reduction in vehicle usage and NHS-related emissions.
My solution is to offer free parking at hospitals, indeed all NHS locations, but only for electric vehicles. Not only would the parking be free, but every NHS location would offer free electric vehicle charging points as well. Moreover, as a signal of the NHS commitment, all its non-emergency vehicles would transfer over to electric power. In my experience most non-emergency transport is for local deliveries that can easily switch to electric vehicles.
This would deliver so many benefits:
- It would create a UK-wide critical mass of electric charging points
- By advertising the NHS commitment on all its fleet it would further promote the potential for electric vehicles
- It would reduce NHS emissions
- It would act as a growth stimulus as some of the leading electric vehicle manufactures are in the UK
My latest press cutting illustrates the growth potential for electric vehicles. Battery technology is improving almost in Newton Law like ways. The Economist reports that the University of Illinois has found a way of recharging a car battery in less than two minutes. This holds the prospect of recharging an electric car in the time it normally takes to fill up your car.
What I really want from the coalition government, who are desperate to be seen as radical reformers, is a few more bold ideas. It would be even better if they deliver growth quickly and save the planet for our grandchildren’s future.
Alan Edwards is CIPFA’s international director. This year’s CIPFA Annual Conference on 5-7 July will include a sustainability theme and will showcase electric vehicles as well as other ideas to tackle climate change
