DfT pursues green motoring initiatives

DfT (i.e. The Department for Transport) is currently pursuing policy initiatives so as to put Britain at the forefront of a “green” motoring revolution by encouraging a mass market in electric and hybrid vehicles, such as HGVs, LGVs or vans. Last week, the newly appointed transport secretary Geoff Hoon announced that the government is in the process of making “greener vehicles” a reality. Hoon says:

“First of all, all these low-carbon vehicles, such as plug-in hybrids, cut fuel costs and reduce harmful emissions. If we can inspire more people to use low-carbon vehicles, it will help us to make a positive impact on climate change.”

The DfT vehicle procurement programme, managed by Cenex, will feature a demonstration that explains the use of lower carbon vehicles in the public sector. In addition to this, Hoon says:

“Vans, for instance, make up around 30% of road transport emissions in the UK, and their emissions are rising more than any other mode of road transport. That is why we are fully committed to this new programme to help kick-start the market. In the public sector, there is considerable demand for vans, so we want to use our spending power to lead the way in developing lower carbon options that will appeal across the board.”

The DfT also wants to spend £20m on technical innovation so as to make electric and other “green” vehicles both affordable and practical. In fact, DfT says that recent research shows that the UK power system could support the use of electric vehicles without even “needing more power stations.”