UK Government’s Road to Zero Strategy aims to take the lead in zero-emission vehicle technology

With the Road to Zero Strategy, the UK Government aims to see at least half of all new cars offer ultra-low emissions by 2030 and make the UK the best place in the world to build and own an electric vehicle.

The road to Zero Strategy sets a clear path for the United Kingdom to be a world leader in the zero emissions revolution. This strategy aims to put the UK at the forefront of a global automotive revolution and help deliver cleaner air, a better environment, as well as creating a stronger economy, with the UK government leading the industries of the future and building its competitiveness in key global economic areas.

The Road to Zero Strategy proposals set out plans to:

• Enable a massive expansion of green infrastructure across the UK
• Reduce emissions from vehicles on UK roads
• Drive the uptake of zero-emission cars, vans, and trucks

As set out in the government's Air quality plan, the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel vehicles will end in the UK by 2040. Meanwhile, the government will work alongside industries, organizations, universities, consumer groups, decentralized administrations, environmental groups, local governments, and international partners to enable the deployment of one of the best electric vehicle infrastructure networks in the world and prepare for a greener future on all UK roads. The UK government has already committed to investing £1.5 billion in ultra-low emission vehicles by 2020, and the Road to Zero Strategy outlines some other ambitious measures:

• Charging points to be installed in new build homes, new lampposts to include charging points, providing a massive expansion of the plug-in network
• The launch of a £400 million Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund to help accelerate the roll-out of charging infrastructure, giving funding to new and existing companies that produce and install charge points. The request for a proposal to appoint a fund manager will be launched in the summer
• Creating a new £40 million programme to develop and trial innovative, low-cost wireless and on-street charging technology
• Providing up to £500 for electric vehicle owners to put in a charge point in their home through the Electric Vehicle Home charge Scheme. An increase in the value of grants available to workplaces to install charge points, so people can charge when they are at work
• The extension of the Plug-In Car and Van Grants at current rates and in some form until at least 2020, allowing consumers to make significant savings when purchasing a new electric vehicle
• The launch of an Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce to bring together the energy and automotive industries to plan for the increase in demand on energy infrastructure that will result from a rise in the use of electric vehicles

Through the Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill, the government hopes to ensure that charge points are easy to access throughout the UK, ready to use in motorway service areas and at-large fuel retailers.
The UK government will review the adoption of ultra-low emission vehicles in 2025 and consider what interventions are needed to ensure rapid progress.

Source:
Gov.UK