Member Article

Go ahead given for £13m London green technology fund

Businesses who promote green vehicle technology in London have been given a boost today with the announcement of an extra £13m worth of funding.

The government’s Go Ultra Low City Scheme, which was created in order to support the take-up of electric cars, is a multi-million pound funding pot that forms part of a £600m package of measures from the Office for Low Emissions Vehicles.

Green technology firms stand to benefit from the fund thanks to the guaranteed money for individual plug-in car grants, investment in low emission buses and taxis, and research and development funding for innovative technology such as lighter vehicles and longer-lasting car batteries.

London’s proposals for creating ‘Neighbourhoods of the future’ saw the city awarded £13m for the prioritising of ultra-low emissions vehicles (ULEV) in several boroughs across the capital.

This includes over a dozen streets in Hackney going electric with the addition of car-charging street lighting, as well as a low emission zone offering parking and traffic priority to owners of plug-in vehicles in Harrow,

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.”

Echoing McLoughlin’s sentiments about the benefits of the scheme, Poppy Welch, Head of Go Ultra Low, added: “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 four 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.”

Amongst other cities, Milton Keynes (£9m) and Bristol (£7m) also received funding for their own green vehicle technologies.