We are increasingly being told that electric cars are the future of personal travel and that they pose a much greener alternative to our much loved petrol cars. And with strict carbon-reduction goals set by the government, manufacturers are looking to new technologies to deliver sustainable, less polluting outcomes.

Given the soaring costs of petrol and flagging air quality, electric cars may well seem like a viable option, but is the UK ready to make the switch?

There is a government grant of £5,000 available for anyone who wishes to purchase an electric car, but with remaining costs of around £23,000 the initial price of an electric car puts this technology far beyond the reach of the average consumer.

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It’s difficult to believe such a thing as global warming when we are still shivering through yet another cold winter.

TV programmes such as channel 4’s ‘The year Britain froze’ examining the coldest temperatures ever faced by Britain since records began in 1850 certainly make it difficult to get the climate change message across.

The Energy Saving Trust advice centre for South and West Yorkshire are aware of the mixed messages out there and has offered to shed some light on this.

Centre manager, Andrew Cooper explained “There is no doubt we have experienced some freezing temperatures of late, however this does not dispute global warming but is actually a result of it. The earth’s increased warming creates the extreme weather conditions which we have recently been faced with.”

Support for this comes from the Met Office’s recent announcement that 2010 was actually the second hottest on record, even though it was Britain’s coldest since 1986. Andrew continued “we have to remember that Britain makes up a tiny percentage of the Earth, and temperatures elsewhere such as the oceans which dominate the Earth are becoming warmer.”

For information on how you can save energy and money whilst keeping warm this winter contact the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012.

The Yorkshire and Humber Microgeneration Partnership welcome the announcement made in October that the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) will go ahead.

“This announcement has been long awaited by our industry which has been in limbo since the change of Government in May. We now look forward to growth of the renewables sector and creating new jobs in our Region” Amanda Botterill, Chair of the Partnership

In the Comprehensive Spending Review Chancellor George Osborne stated, “£860 million funding for the Renewable Heat Incentive which will be introduced from 2011-12. This will drive a more-than-tenfold increase of renewable heat over the coming decade, shifting renewable heat from a fringe industry firmly into the mainstream.”

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