£40m drives green car revolution across UK

Four cities across the UK have been awarded significant funds to promote green vehicle technology after bidding for a share of a multi-million pot created to support the launch of plug-in electric cars.

Nottingham, Bristol, Milton Keynes and London are all set to receive funding as part of the Go Ultra Low City Scheme.

The scheme comprises cutting edge technology, such as rapid-charging hubs and street lighting that double as charge points, along with a range of innovative proposals that will give plug-in car owners extra local privileges such as access to bus lanes in city centres.

Around 25,000 parking spaces will also be opened up for plug-in car owners saving commuters as much as £1,300 a year.

The funding has been awarded to cities which have designed schemes that will help urge thousands of people to consider switching to a plug-in car. These proposals will support the UK’s green vehicle sector, improve air quality in urban hotspots and help the government meet its emission cutting targets.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “These Go Ultra Low Cities have proposed exciting, innovative ideas that will encourage drivers to choose an electric car. I want to see thousands more greener vehicles on our roads and I am proud to back this ambition with £40 million to help the UK become international pioneers of emission cutting technology.

“The UK is a world leader in the uptake of low emission vehicles and our long-term economic plan is investing £600 million by 2020 to improve air quality, create jobs and achieve our goal of every new car and van in the UK being ultra-low emission by 2040.”

London has been awarded £13m to create ‘Neighbourhoods of the future’ prioritising ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) in several boroughs across the capital; whereas Milton Keynes will receive £9m to open a city centre Electric Vehicle Experience Centre — a ‘one stop shop’ providing consumer advice and short-term vehicles loans

In addition, Bristol get £7m to offer residents free residential parking for ULEVs, access to 3 carpool lanes in the city, over 80 rapid and fast chargers across the city and a scheme encouraging people to lease a plug-in car for up to 4 weeks to help them better understand the range of benefits that electric vehicles bring.

Finally, Nottinghamshire and Derby will use £6m of funding to install 230 chargepoints and offer ULEV owners discount parking and access to over 13 miles of bus lanes along key routes across the city

The scheme is also providing £5m of development funding for specific initiatives in Dundee, Oxford, York and north east regions to help them play their part in kick-starting a country-wide clean motoring revolution.

The £40m announcement will also support jobs in the automotive industry by encouraging the sale of thousands of extra plug-in cars, many of which will be built and tested in the UK.

Poppy Welch, Head of Go Ultra Low said: “We’re excited to see the innovative ideas put forward by each of the winning Go Ultra Low Cities become reality over the coming months. The £40 million investment by government, combined with funds from each winning area, will transform the roads for residents in and around the 4 Go Ultra Low Cities.

“With thousands more plug-in cars set to be sold, cutting running costs for motorists and helping the environment, this investment will help to put the UK at the forefront of the global ultra-low emissions race. Initiatives such as customer experience centres, free parking, permission to drive in bus lanes and hundreds of new, convenient public charging locations are sure to appeal to drivers and inspire other cities and local authorities to invest in the electric revolution.”