The winners will be chosen for their proposals on innovative new initiatives to encourage ULEV uptake and will become the UK’s first ‘Go Ultra Low Cities’.

The 12 cities and authorities shortlisted are: City of York Council; Department for Regional Development of Northern Ireland; Dundee City Council; Greater London Authority; Leicester City Council; Milton Keynes Council; North East Combined Authority; Nottingham City Council; Oxford City Council; Sheffield City Council; West of England; and West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Minister of State for Transport 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 low and ultra-low emissions vehicles. This can help to transform people’s quality of life in their cities and is an important step towards our 2050 vision when almost every car, bus and van in the UK will be an ultra-low emission vehicle.”

The shortlisted authorities have until 31 August 2015 to finalise their submissions, with the winning cities announced in the autumn.