Two of Northern Ireland’s leading authorities on renewable energy, South West College and Action Renewables, have launched the world’s first Web-based electric car journey planning tool at the Batterie Project closing conference held at Titanic Belfast.
Batterie, a European Regional Development Funded project, through the Atlantic Area, was established to improve the cooperation and links between various transport services across Europe and to promote the application of smart technologies and usage of alternative fuels. Action Renewables and South West College lead the delivery of the Batterie Project in Northern Ireland.
The journey planning tool, which is being piloted in Ireland, is now available for public use and can be accessed online at www.egomap.eu. Optimised for mobile use, users can enter start point and destination information and then receive suggested routes that consider electric vehicle charging facilities as well providing information on the cost of the journey, CO2 emissions and savings.
The tool compares public transport and private combustion vehicle travel against electric vehicle travel providing users with a breakdown of transport fares and emissions. It also takes into account how long it may take to charge an electric vehicle – if needed on the journey – in order to give users the most efficient route to their destination.
Dr John Harrison, Batterie project manager, South West College, said: “Over the last four years as part of the Batterie Project, South West College’s Innovation and Technology hub has been developing pilot journeys to test alternative fuel vehicles in order to improve electric car infrastructure… Northern Ireland has one of the highest concentrations of electric vehicle charge points in the world – 174 in total including 160 fast chargers and 14 rapid chargers – making it the ideal location to pilot this initiative.”
Actions Renewables’ Batterie project manager Terry Waugh added: “Our participation in the Batterie Project has helped to put Northern Ireland on the map for our first-class research and advances in the transport sector. As electric cars grow in popularity, an accurate and user friendly planning tool can make the experience even more enjoyable. Indeed, one of the Batterie closing conference delegates drove his electric car here from the Netherlands and used the electric planning tool when he reached Northern Ireland.”
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