Government signals greater role for electric vehicles as it unveils renewable energy strategy
Fri 27 June 2008
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The Government has announced plans for a rapid increase in renewable energy generation and use, involving private sector investments of £100bn in wind, tidal and wave energy as well as microgeneration. For transport, the Government highlighted the potential for the large scale use of renewable electricity as a vehicle fuel.
The Government's Renewable Energy Strategy Consultation was announced in advance of the publication of the Gallagher Review on the indirect effects of biofuels production. It states: "Gallagher’s findings will be important to the development of the Government’s biofuel policies and targets".
However, the consultation calls for stakeholders to contribute further views on appropriate sustainability criteria for all biofuel uses. It calls for views on the potential for the adaptation of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) to provide incentives for greater levels of renewable energy in transport while including safeguards to ensure these levels are sustainable and offer greenhouse gas savings.
The Government is also seeking views on how to facilitate the development of second and third-generation biofuels, which are made from non-food sources.
The Renewable Energy Strategy picks up on one of the leading recommendations of the King Review, highlighting the potential for the electrification of road vehicles in the form of hybrids and battery electric models. The Strategy notes that over the next few years motor manufacturers are committed to developing electric and, potentially, hydrogen-powered vehicles.
The Strategy Consultation notes that since electric vehicles may be charged at night they could improve the viability of renewable energy generation, through raising off peak power demand and offering the potential of vehicle-to-grid technologies which could help smooth electricity demand.
The Government says it is interested in examining how the development of electric vehicles and an appropriate charging infrastructure could be accelerated in the UK.
To download the transport section of the consultation, click on the associated link.
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