Electric car pod for ex-Roxy site

ARTIST’S impression of the Hollinwood Pod Centre

THIS is the face of the future as Oldham leads Greater Manchester into a new electric car era.

The artist’s impression, obtained exclusively by the Chronicle, shows the Pod Centre to be built on the site of the old Roxy Cinema in Hollinwood — the biggest of 25 planned across Greater Manchester.

Six are to be built initially, allowing drivers to lease, hire and charge electric vehicles, as well as joining an electric car club, shop or buy a coffee.

There will also be another 300 charging posts with parking bays across Oldham and Greater Manchester.

Oldham is also to set up a head office to deal with motorists’ bills for the power they use to recharge their electric car batteries.

Oldham Council was put in charge of the initiative by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) after a successful bid to the Government for a £3.6 million grant.

That money has been matched by private investors who have formed the Manchester Electric Car Company in partnership with AGMA.

The Roxy pod — called Hollinwood Electric — will be opened within two years, along with others at Manchester Airport, the Trafford Centre, Media City, Stockport, and Bury New Road in Manchester.

The company is in talks with shops and cafes as well as car manufacturers, whose main concern is building up enough demand for electric cars to bring down the price.

The first charging post is to be operational within months — though its location has not been decided.

Manchester Electric Car Company chief executive Ron Stratton told the Chronicle: “The biggest site is at Hollinwood by a long way.

“That is probably the biggest statement we are likely to make.”

He also revealed that the company is talking to Oldham’s taxi firms to interest them in switching their fleets to electric cars and to Oldham Council about an electric park and ride site near Sainsbury’s in the town centre.

The electric car development will also bring good news for public transport users with the introduction of the long-awaited Oyster-type smart card which will pay fares and buy electricity at the charging points.

Mr Stratton added: “We will have an interoperable charge card to plug into the post. You will also use that for public transport so you can ride the tram. You will be able to lease a car, hire a car and use the car club using the smart card.”

Stockport councillor Dave Goddard, chairman of Greater Manchester Environment Commission, said: “With the assistance of the Government’s Plugged in Places scheme, we are going to see a first-class charging network across Greater Manchester. Studies show that such a network is the key to getting drivers to consider a switch to electric.”