OLEV launches consultation on future for ULEVs and how to spend £500m
Thu 07 November 2013
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Announcing the beginning of the promised call for evidence on spending £500m to promote ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVS), the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg called for innovative ideas from key players in the automotive industry to help the UK stay ahead of global competition and secure our position as global leader in ULEVs.
The investment, which the Government announced in June, will be used to support the growing market between 2015 and 2020. The Government says that the package is one of the most substantial for ULEVs in the world. It will be used to support the introduction of vehicles that produce almost no carbon, creating jobs and boosting economic growth, as well as tackling climate change and air quality issues.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, said: "The UK’s automotive industry has undergone a renaissance in recent years and we have the potential to emerge as a trailblazer in the development, design and manufacture of green cars. The Nissan factory in Sunderland produces the world’s number one electric car – the Leaf. And Toyota chose their factory in Derbyshire as the first place outside Japan to mass manufacture their hybrid technology.
"We’re doing well compared to our European competitors, helped by a buoyant UK car market. But, if we’re to stay ahead we need to secure the UK’s position as both a global leader in the production and adoption of low carbon vehicles. We need to see more people who live in Britain driving these cars and enjoying the lower running costs they can bring.
"The job now is making sure that we get the most out of every penny, so today I am launching a call for evidence from key players in the industry to find out how we kick start demand and make the UK the number one European destination for investment in ultra low emissions vehicles."
The call for evidence is seeking opinions on where emphasis should be placed and if particular areas, for example taxis and fleet vehicles, should be targeted more directly. Government is inviting industry, local authorities, fleet managers and others with an interest in this sector to respond to encourage more people to choose vehicles with the lowest possible emissions.
Over 6,000 ULEVs have been sold in the UK with government-funded consumer incentives and 10,000 chargepoints installed.
The call for evidence will close on 10 January 2014 and OLEV aims to publish details of the planned 2015 to 2020 package later in 2014.
Mr Clegg also announced that the Government has invited Elon Musk, a pioneer of electric vehicles in the US, and CEO and co-founder of Tesla Motors, to personally advise Government on how it can reach the UK tipping point for electric vehicles more quickly.
Mr Clegg said: "Elon helped design the ground-breaking Tesla Roadster. He brings unmatched expertise to the table. Among other issues, he’ll consider how we can boost investment, massively increase the take up of electric vehicles across the country and promote the benefits of ultra low emission vehicles more widely to drivers."
NOTE: The LowCVP is holding a workshop on Tuesday 17 December to enable members to provide feedback on the OLEV call for evidence. For more information, please contact the LowCVP Secretariat.
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