The UK government has recently announced a new plan to support the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) as part of its larger ambition to achieve a net-zero future. This plan involves a £381 million Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund and an extra £15 million for the On-Street Residential Charging Scheme (ORCS), aiming to install thousands of new chargers throughout the country, increasing EV infrastructure across the UK.
This is a significant move for the UK government in the right direction, as one of the most significant criticisms they have faced recently is the scarcity of available charge points for people considering switching to EVs. The new plan aims to change this and help in transitioning to a more sustainable future.
Mark Harper, Transport Secretary, stated, “Transport is one of the most important sectors for achieving net-zero by 2050, and so we must accelerate our efforts to decarbonise how people get from A to B, while growing our economy and supporting thousands of green jobs.”
In addition to the funding, the government has also revealed new proposals for a zero-emission vehicle mandate. Starting in 2024, parliament will set minimum annual targets for the percentage of new car and van sales that must be zero-emission, which is expected to speed up the transition.
These latest developments follow the success of almost 17% of new cars sold in the UK last year being zero-emission, demonstrating progress already made in the shift to electric vehicles. With the government’s pledge to end the sale of petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, and all new vehicles being fully zero-emission by 2035, it is evident that the UK is leading the way in decarbonising transport, which is one of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gases.
It is exciting to see the UK government taking such a strong position in transitioning to a more sustainable future. With these new measures, the country is moving in the right direction to achieve its net-zero targets while promoting green jobs and a cleaner environment.