South East MEP Sharon Bowles supports a common standard for electric cars

11.20.00am GMT Tue 9th Mar 2010

Sharon drives an eco-car

Lib Dem MEP Sharon Bowles has proffered her support for a common standard for electric cars in advance of a parliamentary debate on the issue in Strasbourg this week.

Sharon Bowles said:

"Electric cars have developed faster than expected. This has taken policymakers by surprise and it is about time Parliament had a debate on this issue.

"MEPs will be discussing standards for charging-up electric cars as the industry seems to be moving in different directions on this. It is imperative the EU keeps an eye on what is happening in the rest of the world, particularly in the US and India, so that there is a common standard.

"I am a big supporter of low-carbon technology and believe the EU should implement a common standard on the charging-up of electric cars. We do not expect to travel all over the world in electric cars but not having a common standard could hinder exports."

ENDS