Gordon Brown visits Allied Electric Vehicles

The Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited Allied Electric's manufacturing plant in Glasgow where he was introduced to company bosses and shop floor engineers. The Prime Minister was highly impressed with the innovation displayed by the niche vehicle making company.

Allied Electric is the newest arm of the Allied Vehicles Group which specialises in vehicle conversions and second stage manufacturing of automotive products in niche markets. Allied is an established leader in both the Taxis and Accessible Vehicles markets.

The Prime Minister on his visit was most interested in the company's new range of all electric Peugeot vans. Allied Electric is looking to become the UK's leading supplier of all electric vehicles (EVs) for the light commercial market. The company has already won Government backed contracts for its Peugeot Boxer vans which will operate in certain areas throughout the U.K. A new trial electric project involving the Peugeot Expert and Peugeot Partner cars is also being undertaken with the backing of Glasgow City Council, Scottish Power, Strathclyde University and Dundee-based battery maker Axeon.

Allied Electrics managing Director reported that "The Prime Minister was particularly excited about our work in electric vehicles."

Nelson adds: "All-electric vehicles are very much part of the shape of things to come but it's still a relatively new concept to most people, so having the endorsement of the Prime Minister can only help raise the profile of EVs, which produce zero emissions while in operation. Range and functionality of electric vehicles has advanced rapidly in the past two to three years, making them a genuine alternative, especially for city centre operations".

"Our strategy here is to be at the forefront of a new market – the Heinz of electric commercial vehicles if you like. It's a rapidly moving technology field and we've got several exiting new developments in the pipeline already, so it looks sure to be an interesting ride."