1. Information Distribution Connected infrastructure enabling free flow of useful information Assimilation & Distribution Methods of delivery Mobile phone and PDA Screen and audio at charger site In-car console Content Real time traffic information Local weather Personalised driving directions Latest news Open source applications In-car entertainment A wide range of information will be useful to drivers depending on needs and desires. The extent to which the electric vehicle infrastructure will play a part is yet to determined, as much could be co-ordinated through personal devices independent of the charging infrastructure. A platform needs to be established in order to disseminate the desired information to drivers. The platform could also support open-source software, allowing various providers to create innovative applications relevant to the electric vehicle. ?

2. Usage Monitoring Systems Real-time information for vehicle and recharging management Usage Statistics RDIF Tracking Data Assimilation & Distribution Assimilation & Distribution Employers, Fleet Operators Employers, Fleet Operators Availability of vital information will be important to the overall driver experience. The electric vehicle user will be particularly interested to know how far the car is capable of driving (range) on its current charge, and in finding an available charging point in the local area. Intelligent systems are required to assimilate and display all of this information in a user-friendly fashion. Similarly parking is a common concern, and a two-way communication could enable the reservation of parking spaces as well as vehicle charger usage. Additional information that could be collected includes driving statistics – particularly useful to commercial fleet managers seeking to improve accountability and efficiency. Choices should be made on exactly how this is displayed. Range Data

3. Off-site renewable energy generation On-site generation Power Management and Distribution National Grid Traditional Energy Sources Renewable Energy Devising the most efficient and user-friendly energy management systems Home Charging In order to realise the environmental benefits of electric vehicles, they must become part of the integrated renewable energy network, which is receiving significant investment in the North East. Small-scale local generation is becoming increasingly viable, including photovoltaic canopies providing solar energy to cars parked under them, or even solar panels on the cars themselves. Any system to manage and distribute this energy should take into account differing demand at peak and off-peak times, efficient storage, and interactions with the existing national grid.

4. Advertising and Promotions Income streams of tailored and geographically-based advertising Visual and audio advertising Personal devices Advertising at point of charging In-car advertising It is likely that advertising will form part of the model that enables economic sustainability for the electric vehicle infrastructure. There are advantages for advertisers in this field, such as the ability to tailor adverts to the particular driver, based on previously collected information, and triggered when a car (identifiable through RDIF tags, for example) enters the vicinity of an advertisement space. Local businesses could benefit from geographically-focussed promotions. It is also likely that people will spend varying periods of time at charging posts and other charging areas, making them useful locations for advertising screens. In-car advertising facilitated through in-car interfaces is also an option.