The hard-hitting news this week was that Norwegian EV-manufacturer 'Think' declared bankruptcy. Apparently, with investment taking too long to come by, the company simply ran out of money and could no longer continue.

But, despite this blip in the monitors, the electric car market seems to be in rude health with yet more reports of the vehicles taking up an increasing share of the roads in the UK. Predictions that electric cars will form 16% of the market in ten years time have been accompanied by further encouraging news, including multi-national engineering firm GKN purchasing a 25% stake in British company Evo Electrics. Also hitting the headlines is Coventry-based manufacturer Liberty Electric starting to make the first electric 4x4s and the raging debate as to whether Rolls Royce should convert to live by the plug and no longer the pump. You can join the debate here.

Such stories are contributing to calls from government and industry insiders to make the UK the leader for EV innovation, a point further supported by the this week's announcement in the Evening Standard that London is set to open its first solar powered charging facility for electric vehicles. Managed by Use The Sun and able to charge six cars at once, the facility should be available from next month.

With every electric car bought the EV-revolution takes a step forward, but some patrons of electricity carry more weight than others. This week, for example, has seen the beatification of the electric battery as it was announced that the next Popemobile is to be a hybrid, relying on its plugged-in power for future parades and ceremonies. We will, of course, be expecting to see the Pope's log-in details appearing on the Plugsurfing database in the near future as, with more journalists this week citing 'range anxiety' as the threat to EV, he will never want to be caught out with a flat battery. Instead we are sure he will be relying on our community of believers to get him home.

The app will be of greater use to him if the American trend of disguising charging points catches on here. Have a look at this article showing charging points masquerading as phone boxes and petrol pumps. It's no wonder why the AAA have introduced emergency roadside charging vehicles for flat EVs. If only there were a better solution for letting you know where the charging points are, even the hidden ones...