The package, annouced yesterday (13 October), will be used to drive up the amount of electric vehicle (EV) charging points across streets and workplaces throughout the country, in response to a 250% rise in registered ULEVs in just two years.

Hayes said: “No matter what mode of transport you need – a scooter to get to work, a car or a van to run your business – we are here to help you do it with zero emissions… The number of ultra-low emission vehicles on our roads are at record levels.

“We are committing £35m to help install new chargepoints and offer new grants as we aim for nearly all cars and vans on our roads to be zero-emission by 2050.”

Funding breakdown

The money will go towards a £20m competition to help councils roll out chargepoints for ultra-low emission taxis; a £10m funding scheme for chargepoints outside of workplaces and homes where there is no off-street parking; the launch of a £3.75m scheme to encourage the uptake of zero-emission motorcycles and scooters; and £2m backing for public and private sector organisations to begin deploying hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

The £35m forms part of the Government’s commitment to invest £600m in ULEVs by 2020. Through the £5m Go Ultra Low public sector fleet scheme, first launched in 2014, more than 280 electric cars are already being used by councils, hospitals and emergency services across England and Wales, as well as government departments.

As edie reported this week, Europe remains poised for a EV transition, with new figures estimating that the amount of EVs on European roads will hit the half a million figure by the year end. According to campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E), the UK sells the second-highest level of plug-in hybrids, demonstrating an increasing public willingness to transition to a ULEV future.

Alex Baldwin

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