DfT unveils £37 million funding package to support electric vehicles

Date: 20/2/2013

The Government has announced that it will dedicate £37 million worth of funding to support electric cars on Britain's roads, with the emphasis being on increasing the number of home and on-street charging points available to motorists.

Plug-in facilities are also set to be introduced at railway stations as part of the initiative, with the package forming part of the Government's £400 million commitment to drive the uptake of ultra low emission vehicles in the UK.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said that the measure "underlines the government's commitment to making sure that the UK is a world leader in the electric car industry," explaining that a growing market for the vehicles will create jobs and cut pollution.

"Plug-in vehicles can help the consumer by offering a good driving experience and low running costs," he added.

And Business Minister Michael Fallon echoed his colleague's sentiments, highlighting that the fund "will make the consumer environment for plug-in vehicles more attractive and, in turn, make the UK a more compelling place to invest."

As part of the package, £11 million will be dedicated to helping local authorities provide electric motorists with on-street charging points while £9 million will be spent on installing similar technology at railway stations.

The majority of the funding will consist of the £13.5 million that will be available to homeowners, who will be legible for a 75 per cent grant to have a domestic charge point installed in their property.

"There are huge business opportunities [available] so we're committed to ensuring the UK leads the way globally for low carbon vehicles," Mr Fallon added.

Indeed, with a focus on attracting investment in Britain and stimulating the market, the £37 million fund forms part of wider efforts to drive growth in Britain's clean energy sector given the potential for expansion as the world continues to adopt low carbon technologies.

Posted by Nick Anderson

International Transport News and Sustainable Transport News