Government announces funding to encourage electric car introduction
Tue 28 October 2008
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The Government has announced a £10m project to encourage the introduction of electric cars to the UK market. The project, to be overseen by the Technology Strategy Board, will involve around 100 electric cars being provided to members of the public and other motorists on a trial basis. Meanwhile, the Government has also announced that 10 companies have been short-listed to provide electric and low carbon vans to some councils and public sector bodies in a £20m scheme which was introduced earlier.
The £10 million electric car and ultra low carbon vehicle demonstration projects are intended to give motorists the opportunity to provide feedback on the practical steps needed to make greener motoring an everyday reality. Funding will be provided to cars which produce 50g CO2/km or less and have a significant electric only range. Applications will be requested in January 2009 and the Technology Strategy Board aims to announce the successful projects in March.
The Department for Transport also announced that 10 companies have been short-listed to bid to provide electric and low carbon vans to some councils and other public sector bodies, like the Royal Mail, as part of a £20m programme. Liverpool, Newcastle, Gateshead, Coventry, Glasgow and Leeds will be among the first councils to trial green vans on their streets.
The 10 short-listed companies are: Ford; Mercedes Benz; Citroen; Ashwoods; Land Rover, Modec; Smiths; Electric Vehicles; LDV; Nissan and Allied Vehicles.
The announcements are the latest steps in a £100m Government plan to develop the technology and infrastructure needed to make electric and low-carbon cars a practical reality. The Government-funded Technology Strategy Board is also providing further investment of up to £30m to support industry R&D and demonstrations of electric and other low carbon vehicles.
The Government had signalled its intention to develop electric cars last summer. Its Renewable Energy strategy outlined how the UK could generate the increased power it needs in the coming decades while reducing overall carbon emissions.
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said: "Van emissions are rising more than any other mode of road transport. That's why we are committed to this new programme to help kick-start the market. In the public sector there is considerable demand for vans, so we want to use our spending power to lead the way in developing lower carbon options that will appeal across the board."
Environment groups were encouraged by the announcement. Greenpeace's senior transport campaigner, Anita Goldsmith, said: "Electrifying our transport network is a vital step in the fight against climate change and will be key to reducing our dependence on foreign oil, so it's very encouraging that the government has recognised this."
The Government says that its electric car plan is part of a long-term strategy to create up to 10,000 new 'green' jobs in the UK. Officials said opportunities in the wider low carbon economy could see the creation of a million green jobs by 2030.
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