So says business mobility specialist Alphabet following yesterday’s news that Bristol, London, Milton Keynes and Nottingham have won a share of a £40m fund intended to boost plug-in car numbers.

The funds will be used to facilitate innovative projects such as opening up thousands of free parking spaces for EVs and allowing access to bus lanes.

Commenting on the news, Martin Quail, chief commercial officer, Alphabet (GB) Limited, said: “As part of these pioneering initiatives, concrete actions to improve the UK’s charging infrastructure, such as street lighting technology that provides an EV charging point or the roll out of rapid-charging hubs, are being introduced to address real-world concerns of drivers and businesses.

“In the past EVs may have been considered unfashionable, expensive and impractical alternatives, but this news – as well as developments in electric and hybrid technology – will inspire businesses, public sector organisations and consumers alike to rethink how they keep on the move sustainably and cost effectively.”

He added: “This announcement brings welcome investment in infrastructure in these four areas to make EVs more practical for business travel, as well as making them more attractive to drivers. 

“These changes could have a momentous impact on business travel, offering significant advantages to businesses and public sector organisations who take a progressive view on their fleet and mobility strategy. We await with interest the changes that the Go Ultra Low City Scheme brings about in these four areas – as well as EV-specific initiatives taking place in Dundee, Oxford, York and the North East – and how the consumer, corporate organisations, small business and the public sector make the most of this opportunity in those areas over the next four years.”