Skip to main content

Funding boost for ultra low emission vehicles

A major $US43 million (£35 million) package to boost the uptake of ultra-low emission cars and scooters has been unveiled by the UK government. The fresh funding commitment will see thousands more electric vehicle charge-points installed on streets and at workplaces across the UK, after the number of new ultra low emission vehicles registered rose by 250 per cent in just two years. The government is also buying two brand new Nissan LEAF electric cars for the Government Car Service, to add to the four
October 14, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
A major $US43 million (£35 million) package to boost the uptake of ultra-low emission cars and scooters has been unveiled by the UK government.

The fresh funding commitment will see thousands more electric vehicle charge-points installed on streets and at workplaces across the UK, after the number of new ultra low emission vehicles registered rose by 250 per cent in just two years.

The government is also buying two brand new Nissan LEAF electric cars for the Government Car Service, to add to the four that are already in use.

The announcement is part of the government’s plans to improve air quality, and it comes as Defra launch a new consultation on introducing clean air zones in Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and Southampton by 2020.

The funding includes the next steps of a US$24 million (£20 million) competition that will help councils roll out charge-points for ultra-low emission taxis and up to US$12 million (£10 million) funding for charge-points outside workplaces and homes where there is no off-street parking. It also includes the launch of an initial US$4.5 million (£3.75 million) scheme to encourage uptake of zero emission motorcycles and scooters and US$2.4 million (£2 million) awarded to public and private sector organisations to deploy hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

The funding is being delivered as part of the government’s commitment to invest US$610 million (£600 million) in ultra-low emission vehicles by 2020.

In addition, an initial US$4.5 (£3.75 million) is being made available for motorcycle and scooter riders who want to want to go green, providing them with up to 20 per cent off the cost of an electric motorcycle or scooter. Buyers will be able to claim a maximum discount of US$1,800 (£1,500).

Related Content

  • UK government launches funding competition for vehicle to grid technology
    July 10, 2017
    The UK government is to invest US$25.7 million (£20 million) in vehicle to grid projects as part of its Industrial Strategy to create a smarter energy system, while increasing the numbers of electric cars on UK roads.
  • UK government invests £7m to boost cycle safety
    February 27, 2018
    The UK government will invest £7m ($5m) in cycling projects to improve road safety and create more bike-friendly areas that encourage more people to cycle as part of everyday journeys. It is part of the Department of Transport’s (DoT’s) cycle safety review, which aims to ensure that the country’s roads are as safe as possible for everyone using them. Eight cities, which have already received help from the government to promote cycling, will be able to bid for an additional £6.5m ($4.6m) of funding to
  • Electric public transport ‘to reduce Hong Kong’s emissions’
    March 21, 2013
    Electric vehicle manufacture BYD has announced plans for electrifying Hong Kong’s public transport by replacing diesel buses and LPG taxis. Experts anticipate that this will reduce Hong Kong’s vehicle emissions nearly 5 per cent. The company has also unveiled plans to introduce the first fleet of 45 e6 electric taxis in the region later this year. BYD and its partners have already built and tested three charging stations in territory. The second batch of charging stations is expected to be set up before May
  • TRL pledges support for global initiative at UN Climate Summit
    October 2, 2014
    The UK’s Transport Research Laboratory (TRL)’s chief executive Rob Wallis, attending the United Nations Climate Summit in New York last week, was delighted to be able to pledge TRL’s support to the UEMI initiative, by UN-Habitat. “The UEMI initiative, aimed at substantially increasing the adoption of electric vehicles within urban environments, aligns strongly with TRL’s own strategy and current activities,” Wallis explained. “TRL is actively engaged in leading innovative research programmes to understan