Britain to be Made Number One for Green Vehicles

Nick Clegg Deputy Prime Minister calls for innovative ideas from the automotive industry. Keen to keep the UK ahead of global competition and secure our position as global leader in ultra low emission vehicles.

Now it seems shipbuilding is out, perhaps Low Emission vehicles can secure the future for the UK. The frighteningly slow take up of electric, is gaining pace, the prices of vehicles is coming down. The Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe are viable alternatives for many. The Volkswagen Group has bold ideas on the market can only be a good thing. New models coming from the just launched and exciting BMW i3, Seat, Skoda, Kia and many others. It is all getting more exciting.

Sadly the infrastructure is by far not good enough and by 2015 we hope it can only get better. We all want lower emissions, but not balanced with the prices of electricity going up, up, up. We don’t want to worry about the prices of batteries and we don’t want to be left with a worthless car after three years.

A big fan of electric cars, I have the enthusiasm for them, I even would buy one, but try and charge one out and about in an emergency. I tried to charge one at Green Park, Reading and Security asked me what I was doing and moved me on. I see my local council is considering installing three charging points in the whole of the county, fortunately I can charge it up on my driveway. I am glad to see this bold new step but wish it to happen in my lifetime.

The government has announced a £500 million investment to drive a low carbon revolution.

The investment, which the government announced in June, will be used to support the growing market between 2015 and 2020 and is one of the most substantial packages of support for ultra low emissions vehicles in the world. It will be used to support electric cars and other vehicles that produce almost no carbon, creating jobs and boosting economic growth, as well as tackling climate change and air quality issues.

Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, said:

The UK’s automotive industry has undergone a renaissance in recent years and we have the potential to emerge as a trailblazer in the development, design and manufacture of green cars.

We’re doing well compared to our European competitors, helped by a buoyant UK car market. But, if we’re to stay ahead we need to secure the UK’s position as both a global leader in the production and adoption of low carbon vehicles. We need to see more people who live in Britain driving these cars and enjoying the lower running costs they can bring.

The job now is making sure that we get the most out of every penny, so today (7 November 2013) I am launching a call for evidence from key players in the industry to find out how we kick start demand and make the UK the number one European destination for investment in ultra low emissions vehicles.

The additional £500 million will build on the £400 million the government has already committed from 2010 to 2015 to take low emission vehicles from a niche to a mainstream market – with support to increase plug in points, boost consumer interest, and strengthen research and development.

A thriving auto sector is vital to the UK economy – it is currently worth over £11 billion to our economy and represents seven per cent of all manufacturing output. A strong foothold in low emission automotive technologies will be vital to its ongoing success.

The UK already offers one of the most long-term, comprehensive packages of support for consumers looking to make the transition to ultra low emission vehicles and we want to make sure that this reputation is maintained and enhanced over the next period.

The call for evidence is seeking opinions on where emphasis should be placed and if particular areas, for example taxis and fleet vehicles, should be targeted more directly. Government is inviting industry, local authorities, fleet managers and others with an interest in this sector to respond to encourage more people to choose vehicles with the lowest possible emissions.

It builds on the government’s previous successful package of support that led Nissan to base European production of the world’s best selling ULEVhere in the UK. It has delivered wider benefits to the sector throughout the supply chain helping SMEs across the country.

Over 6,000 ULEVs have been sold in the UK with government-funded consumer incentives and 10,000 chargepoints installed.