11.03.15
Shortlisted cities announced for green vehicle scheme
A shortlist of 12 cities and regions bidding for a share of a £35m fund for ultra-low-emission vehicles (ULEVs) has been revealed by the government.
That funding, under the Go Ultra Low scheme, sits alongside an additional £30m for councils and bus operators to replace older vehicles with greener alternatives.
The 12 cities and areas shortlisted – which will be whittled down to between two and four winners – are:
- Greater London Authority
- West Yorkshire Combined Authority
- North East Combined Authority
- City of York Council
- West of England
- Dundee City Council
- Sheffield City Council
- Milton Keynes Council
- Department for Regional Development of Northern Ireland
- Oxford City Council
- Nottingham City Council
- Leicester City Council
Transport minister Baroness Kramer said: “This funding is an unequivocal signal from government that we are committed to making ultra-low emission vehicles a practical and viable choice for more people.
“Today’s shortlist of 12 Go Ultra Low cities from across the country is an important part of our effort to improve air quality and establish the UK as a global leader in the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles.
“The additional £30m investment in low emission buses is also a fantastic opportunity for local authorities who want innovative, cost efficient public transport in their communities.
“This can help to transform people’s quality of life in their cities and build a stronger economy and is an important step towards our 2050 vision, when almost every car and van in the UK will be an ultra-low emission vehicle.”
The investment is the latest part of a £500m package set aside for ULEVs that was announced last year. PSE interviewed Baroness Kramer about that at the time. She told us then: “By 2040, virtually all new cars in the UK will be ULEVs. We’ve made that decision partly for climate change reasons, but it also has a big knock-on effect with air quality.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below or email [email protected]