New Ultra Low Emission Vehicles Strategy Launched By Government

Transport Minister Norman Baker today (4 September 2013) launched the government’s strategy to drive forward the ultra low emission vehicles (ULEV) industry.

With air quality in the UK giving serious cause for concern and the increases in cancer as a result of emissions from the vehicles of all types, especially diesel fueled lorries, taxis, and cars; the need for low emission cars and alternative sources of fuel other than petrol and diesel, is of paramount importance not just for the economy, but for the health of the countries citizens.

Air pollution causes 29,000 early deaths a year in the UK – more than obesity and alcohol combined. Air pollution causes heart attacks, strokes, respiratory disease and children living near busy roads have been shown to grow up with underdeveloped lungs.

Further, and as reported in July by Unionsafety:

'...in this European Year Of Air, an alarming World Health Organisation (WHO) report released last month, shows that air pollution causes death, serious illness and hospital admissions even at levels well below current EU limits!'

The Government claims that the 'new strategy signals a major change in the way vehicles will be powered in the future and reaffirms the government’s commitment to provide new opportunities for the motor industry to help grow the UK economy.'

The minister launched 'Driving the future today - a strategy for ultra low emission vehicles in the UK' during his visit to the annual low carbon vehicle exhibition in Bedfordshire today.

Norman Baker said:

“These are exciting times for the motoring industry as ultra low emission vehicles are the future for road travel. Our vision is that by 2050 almost every car and van will be an ultra low emission vehicle with the UK at the forefront of their design, development and manufacture. This strategy moves us up a gear in pursuing that vision.

As well as huge opportunities for the automotive sector, this will bring life-changing benefits to our towns and cities improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions and it will provide energy security by reducing our reliance on foreign oil imports.

We recently announced in our Action for roads paper over £500 million of new capital investment between 2015 and 2020 to continue to support the development and adoption of ULEVs in the UK. We look forward to working with industry on how best to use this money to make the government’s vision a reality as quickly as possible.

The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) is inviting industry to have a say through a call for evidence on how best to invest £500 million of funding to drive the revolution and establish the UK as a premier market for ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs). The call for evidence will be launched shortly.”

The strategy document, which is available for download from the E-Library Database, sets out the government’s 5 main aims:

Supporting the early market for ULEVs:

• through plug in grants or other consumer incentives – providing certainty for investors and consumers;
• by raising awareness of the benefits with a government and manufacturer-run campaign
• by encouraging higher uptake in the public sector

Shaping the necessary infrastructure:

• by providing investment for the installation of chargepoints in homes, railway stations and public sector car parks and rapid charge points for longer journeys
• exploring options for a new network of hydrogen refuelling stations to support introduction of fuel cell electric vehicles in the UK

Securing the right regulatory and fiscal measures:

• by maintaining tax incentives for the purchase of ULEVs until at least 2020
• clarifying the tax position on ULEVs and providing more information for fleet managers on costs
• working to secure ambitious but realistic EU emissions targets

Investing in UK automotive capability:

• by working with the Automotive Council to develop and strengthen the ULEV supply chain and discussing with industry on where to target research and development funding
• by working with partners to maximise the benefits for the UK from the move to ULEVs
• by offering £10 million prize to develop a new long-life battery for next generation ULEVs

Preparing the energy sector:

• by ensuring the forthcoming national household roll-out of smart meters will support plug-in vehicle charging

You can download the government's strategy document from the E-Library Database using the search keyword 'ULEV'

See also: WHO Report Shows Stronger Air Quality Standards Essential To Protect Health