The UK government has given its clearest indication yet that electric vehicles are at the head of our future transport plans.
New initiatives announced this morning aim to put Britain at the forefront of the green motoring revolution. The investment of around £100million into the development of electric and hybrid vehicles could see the creation of around 10,000 jobs. Furthermore the Government expect it could lead to the development around 1 million ‘green’ jobs by 2030.
The announcement follows the Gordon Brown’s pledge this summer to speed up the delivery of low carbon vehicles and to make the mass-manufacture of electric vehicles a reality.
Motor manufacturers are invited to bid for the chance to partake in the multi-million pound project to be overseen by the Technology Strategy Board.
Transport Secretary, Geoff Hoon announced the development at the International Experts Meeting taking place at Whitehall this morning. Mr Hoon said;
“Electric cars and other low carbon vehicles, like plug-in hybrids, cut fuel costs and reduce harmful emissions. If we can inspire more people to use them, it will help us to make a positive impact on climate change.
“Alongside this, their research and manufacture is an emerging industry with the potential to create new jobs and safeguard existing employment in the UK. Therefore exploring how to ensure they are a practical and affordable everyday option makes sense all round. That is what the cross Government package of measures announced today will do.”
Around 20 million will be ploughed into research on improving technology to make electric cars more practical and affordable.
The government in collaboration with the National Grid is also investigating how the widespread use of electric vehicles could impact on the electricity system while investigating improving the infrastructure of recharging stations for such vehicles.
Electric commercials have also been considered, with the Government announcing a short-list of companies competing to deliver electric and low-carbon vehicles to councils and public bodies such as the Royal Mail. Liverpool, Gateshead, Coventry, Glasgow and Leeds will be among the first councils to trial green vans.
Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Citroen, Ashwoods, Modec, Smiths, Electric Vehicles, LDV, Nissan and Allied Vehicles make the list competing for the contracts.
Mr Hoon added;
“Vans make up around 15 per cent of road transport emissions in the UK, and their 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.”
