Measures including new chargepoints of workplaces are included in a new £35m package of funding to boost uptake of ultra-low emission cars and scooters.[/vc_column_text]

The package includes up to £10m funding for chargepoints outside workplaces and homes where there is no off-street parking.

Announced by Transport Minister John Hayes today (13 October 2016), the funding covers a £7.5 million workplace charging scheme, due to be launched this autumn, which will be open to eligible private and public sector workplaces in the UK to support the installation of charging infrastructure for their staff and fleet use.

The Government is also buying two new Nissan LEAFs for the Government Car Service on top of the existing four already in use.

In addition, the package includes up to £10m funding for chargepoints outside workplaces and homes where there is no off-street parking.

Additional measures include the next steps of a £20m competition that will help councils roll out chargepoints for ultra-low emission taxis and the launch of an initial £3.75 million scheme to encourage uptake of zero emission motorcycles and scooters.

And following the launch of a competition last May making £2m available to public and private sector organisations to deploy hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, a total of 14 fleets; with city councils, emergency authorities, car hire firms and the Science Museum amongst them, are to receive a share of the funding.

The announcement comes as Defra launches a new consultation on introducing clean air zones in Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and Southampton by 2020.

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 two years.

“We are committing £35 million to help install new chargepoints and offer new grants as we aim for nearly all cars and vans on our roads to be zero emission by 2050.

The funding is being delivered as part of the government’s commitment to invest £600 million in ultra-low emission vehicles by 2020.”