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Comet is the first retailer to offer the service to customers, with “Plug & Go” points in its store car park in Purley Way, Croydon.
Comet’s ‘Plug & Go’ is a response to electric vehicles becoming a high priority for Government as the UK strives to meet its CO2 emissions target by 2010. Should the initiative prove successful the intention is that the service will be rolled out across Comet stores nationwide.
As a specialist in everything electrical, the retailer also announced that it is in talks to sell electric cars as soon as they become more available. In the 1980’s Comet stocked the iconic first electric cars, the Sinclair C5, making sales of electric cars a natural extension to the Comet range. Electric vehicles would also be an important addition to Comet’s existing environmental initiatives including its WEEE recycling service and Green Collection.
With road traffic in Greater London contributing to over 18% of all CO2 emissions nationwide, electric vehicles are high on the agenda of the Mayor, Boris Johnson, who is aiming for London to be the European electric vehicle capital.
Of the Comet scheme, Boris Johnson said: “I want London to be at the forefront of the electric car revolution and we can only do this if we make it easy for people to charge up their electric vehicles. I would like to give Comet a congratulatory pat on the back for offering free charging points and for helping their customers to make the switch to an electric car.”
Hugh Harvey, Managing Director of Comet says: “Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly important to London and we are supporting the need for greener transportation in the capital with the introduction of our free ‘Plug & Go’ points. As an electrical specialist we need to respond to customer demand and with electric vehicles set to revolutionise city living over the next few years, it is only right that we look to sell them as part of our offer.”
Comet has teamed up with smart for the “Plug & Go” launch, who provided their first fully electric car, the smart ed (electric drive) for testing.
Dermot Kelly, Managing Director Mercedes-Benz UK, comments: “The introduction of Comet’s ‘Plug and Go’ scheme is fantastic news for the future of environmentally friendly and economical driving. Electric vehicle charging points at Comet retailers will help pave the way towards developing a sustainable transport infrastructure for the UK. The smart ed is the ultimate urban vehicle – with zero COâ‚‚ emissions and a range of up to 70 miles on a single charge, it offers users the best of in-town performance – and together with Comet’s free charging points we are working towards making clean electric transport more accessible for all.”
The “Plug & Go” service will be available from 9am–9pm Monday-Friday, 9am-7pm Saturdays and 11am–5pm on Sundays.
