U.K. Announces Low-Emission Vehicle Strategy

The British government has set a goal that by 2050 virtually all light-duty cars and trucks in the U.K. will qualify as ultra-low-emission vehicles, meaning carbon dioxide emissions less than 75 g/km.

The government pledges technology neutrality in reaching its objective. It declares that the country's "inevitable" shift to ULEVs will bring significant benefits in air quality, carbon reduction and energy security.

Britain's Office for Low Emission Vehicles is already coordinating 400 million ($624 million) in spending through 2015 on technology and market development for plug-in vehicles. The government says more than 5,500 charging stations have already been installed.

In July the government announced a 1 billion ($1.6 billion) Advanced Propulsion Center to promote low-carbon technologies. It also pledged 500 million ($779 million) in funding between 2015 and 2020 to support the ULEV market with consumer education and purchase incentives, infrastructure investments and other initiatives.

Additional programs will include tax incentives for ULEV buyers, 37 million ($58 million) for electric vehicle charging stations, a 10 million ($16 million) prize for development of a next-generation EV battery and electric "smart" meters for homes that support plug-in vehicle charging.