WWF-UK report says rapid EV uptake necessary if UK is to reach climate targets
Fri 01 April 2011
View all news
A new report by WWF-UK says that at least 1.7 million electric vehicles (EV) will be needed by 2020 and 6.4 million by 2030 if the UK is to achieve its climate change targets. The report "Electric avenues: Driving home the case for electric vehicles in the UK" says that under the most optimisic scenario, the UK could avoid spending over £5bn a year in oil imports.
WWF says that government subsidies and other incentives will be needed to help get the necessary number of EVs on the road - a minimum of 1 in 17 cars by 2020 and 1 in 6 by 2030. These incentives will have to attractive enough to overcome consumers' concerns over price, range anxiety and lack of charging points.
The report shows how EVs should actually have minimal impact on the electricity grid, especially if charged overnight, but that we must ensure that EVs are increasingly charged with clean, renewable sources of power.
An increase in electric vehicle use should also have a very positive effect on the UK economy according to the report, creating thousands of new green jobs in the car industry. It says that the UK is already a world leader in commercial EVs and battery technology and that the industry deserves the maximum possible government and private sector support.
David Norman, Director of Campaigns, WWF-UK said: "It is vital that people start consuming and travelling less to make a transition to a low-carbon economy and reduce our dependency on oil and emissions from cars. Road transport accounts for 40% of petroleum products consumed in the UK so a switch from conventional cars powered by petrol or diesel to EVs would have a much needed impact on reducing fuel demand.”
Related Links
< Back to news list