A CHRISTMAS tree with special lights powered by an electric vehicle has highlighted to passers-by the impact traditionally fueled cars have on the environment.
Installed by energy giant EDF on Glasgow’s busy Buchanan Street for a while, and now donated to the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, the bulbs change colour according to air pollution levels in the city centre.
The display arrived as research by EDF revealed 47 per cent of Scots travelling this Christmas will use a car as their main mode of transport, with only seven per cent of these driving an EV.
The study found that nine in 10 British adults look set to travel an average of 260 miles during December on Christmas-related activities, equating to a collective 700million miles nationwide.
Glasgow was chosen as the home of EDF’s “Christmas Tree-V” having hosted the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference and because the city centre is set to be car-free by 2027 as part of its low-emission-zone plan.
EDF customer boss Philippe Commaret said: “Santa may not ride an electric sleigh but increasing numbers of motorists are choosing to drive electric vehicles, with COP encouraging more people to consider the carbon impact of their travel this Christmas.
“Thanks to our special Christmas Tree-V, visitors to Glasgow city centre were able to see pollution levels alter as the lights changed, helping people to see the impact of their transport choices.”
