Notts wins share of £40 million for 'electric revolution'

Nottinghamshire has been awarded a share of £40 million to promote the uptake of plug-in electric cars.
Launch of two new fast charging points for electric vehicles at Parkers Lane in Broomhill. Pictured are Coun Jayne Dunn and Mark Daly from Sheffield City Council.Launch of two new fast charging points for electric vehicles at Parkers Lane in Broomhill. Pictured are Coun Jayne Dunn and Mark Daly from Sheffield City Council.
Launch of two new fast charging points for electric vehicles at Parkers Lane in Broomhill. Pictured are Coun Jayne Dunn and Mark Daly from Sheffield City Council.

The funds have been shared out to four cities across the UK to “transform the roads” and promote green vehicle technology after they successfully bid for a share of the Government’s multi-million pot.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin announced Nottinghamshire will have access to £6 million as part of the ‘Go Ultra Low City Scheme’ to support the green vehicle sector, improve air quality and help the government meet emission-cutting targets.

Other cities which successfully bid to be part of the scheme are Derby, London, Milton Keynes and Bristol.

These cities produced a number of proposals to support greener vehicles, such as building ‘rapid-charging hubs’ and building street lights that double as charging points.

Ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) owners will also receive privileges such as access to city centre bus lanes and around 25,000 parking spaces will also be opened up for plug-in car owners saving commuters as much as £1,300 a year.

The Transport Secretary said: “These cities have proposed exciting, innovative ideas that will encourage drivers to choose an electric car. I want to see thousands more greener vehicles on our roads and I am proud to back this ambition with £40 million to help the UK become international pioneers of emission cutting technology.

Nottinghamshire and Derby will use the £6 million of funding to install 230 charge points and offer ULEV owners discount parking and access to over 13 miles of bus lanes along key routes across the city.

The investment will also pay for a new business support programme letting local companies ‘try before they buy’.

Poppy Welch, Head of Go Ultra Low, is excited to see the ideas become a reality and thinks the funds will help to “transform the roads for residents” in and around the cities.

She said: “With thousands more plug-in cars set to be sold, cutting running costs for motorists and helping the environment, this investment will help to put the UK at the forefront of the global ultra-low emissions race.

“Initiatives such as customer experience centres, free parking, permission to drive in bus lanes and hundreds of new, convenient public charging locations are sure to appeal to drivers and inspire other cities and local authorities to invest in the electric revolution.”

The scheme is also providing £5 million for initiatives in Dundee, Oxford, York and north east regions to help them play their part in kick-starting the clean motoring revolution.

This includes commuter charging hubs to open up links and solar-canopied park and ride hubs to reduce air pollution.

The £40 million investment will also support high-skill jobs in the motoring industry by encouraging the sale of plug in cars, many of which will be built and tested in the UK.