FIRST RAPID CHARGERS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES – JUST 30 MINUTES TO FULLY CHARGE

Drivers have been warned that even though the days are now getting brighter with the arrival of Springtime, it does not mean that the roads are any safer, with April traditionally bringing in more unsettled and unpredictable weather patterns. With the quick changing weather, comes a further need for motorists to be aware of their tyres’ conditions and Dan Jones, Operations Manager at TrackDays.co.uk, warned that motorists could face hefty fines, reaching £10,000, as well as potentially losing their licence, if their tyres are found to be in a dangerous and illegal state. The driving experience expert also highlighted that in the latest Department for Transport (DfT) road casualty report, nearly 25% of collisions where a vehicle defect was reported involved tyres which were either illegal, defective or underinflated.`

Birmingham City Council has been working with Transport for West Midlands (TFWM) to install its first rapid Electric Vehicle (EV) charge points.

Selly Oak station will be the first of a number of Park & Ride stations in Birmingham to have rapid charge points rolled out to support commuters, taxis and local residents to transition to EVs. Rapid chargers (up to 100kws) are able to fully charge electric vehicles within just 30 mins, or ‘top up’ within 5-10 minutes.

Cllr Liz Clements, cabinet member for transport at Birmingham City Council, said: “This is a great step forward in our bid to reach zero emissions in Birmingham. Not only will it help people change over to electric vehicles, the location means they can then get straight onto the rail network.

“Being able to charge your car in such a short space of time will make journeys in electric cars so much easier. This is great work from all involved.”

TfWM is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA Chair, said: “As we seek to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles, we need the right infrastructure in place. That’s why I’m pleased to see Transport for West Mid- lands working with Birmingham City Council to help establish a rapid charging facility at the Selly Oak Park & Ride site.

“We have plans to vastly improve the availability of chargers right across our region and are actively identifying locations for 10 electric vehicle ‘filling stations’ that will provide ultra-rapid charging for cars and larger vehicles –all part of our green transport revolution.”

The Fast & Rapid EV Charge programme is part-funded through OZEV (formerly OLEV), the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles and delivered by ESB.

Leaders from across the sport industry came together on Saturday 25 March to deliver Loughborough University’s student-led initiative the Black in Sport Summit (BISS). The sold-out event – backed by Europe’s leading media and entertainment company, Sky – was hosted at the iconic London Stadium in Stratford and brought together some of the most successful black individuals in sport to inspire and influence delegates.

Co-hosted by Sky Sports News presenter and Loughborough University Board Member Mike Wedderburn, the action-packed agenda included panel discussions and exclusive interviews that tackled discrimination and underrepresentation of black people in sport.

Former Premier League footballer Anton Ferdinand began proceedings, delivering a hard-hitting talk that highlighted the issues of racism in football. Anton also discussed his own personal experience of being racially abused while playing professionally.

Seven-time Formula One title winner Lewis Hamilton appeared via a prerecorded exclusive interview, outlining how he has pledged to create opportunities through non-profit charitable organisation Mission 44 – an organisation that helps young people receive a better education.

In the next session, undefeated profes-