The Department for Transport (DfT) has committed £15m UK-wide to support the uptake of ultra-low emission cars and scooters. Ministers also promised further developments on a £20m scheme, first announced in 2014, to help cities roll out charge points for ultra-low emission taxis.
The £20m was due to have been awarded in February this year, yet a DfT spokesman said the Government would soon be contacting the 15 cities in the running for cash to provide them with further guidance on eligible projects.
The spokesman could not explain why there had been such delays to the scheme, only that the ‘next steps’ would come shortly. An announcement of the winners of its hydrogen fuel cell vehicles fleet competition, first announced in May, is also expected soon.
Of the £15m funding tranche, up to £10m is for charge points outside workplaces and homes where there is no off-street parking.
There is also an initial £3.75m to encourage the uptake of zero emission motorcycles and scooters. This scheme will provide up to 20% off the cost of an electric motorcycle or scooter, with buyers able to claim a maximum discount of £1,500.
The cash also includes £2m for public and private sector organisations to deploy hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
Transport minister John Hayes said: ‘No matter what mode of transport you need - a scooter to get to work, a car or a van to run your business - we are here to help you do it with zero emissions.
‘The number of ultra-low emission vehicles on our roads are at record levels and new registrations have risen by 250% in just over 2 years.’
A further £7.5m for a workplace charging scheme, due to be launched this autumn, will be open to eligible private and public sector workplaces in the UK to support charging infrastructure for their staff and fleet use.
Road Expo is one of Scotland’s largest transport and road conference and exhibitions and takes place on the 2-3 November in Edinburgh this year. The event will feature more than 100 exhibitors and two CPD certified seminar theatres, curated by Transport Scotland and SCOTS. To book your free place register here.
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