£30 million for plug and go schemes

Nov 20 2009 Maurice Glover

£30 million for plug and go schemes

A £30 million kitty is on offer to local authorities and business groups in a bid to provide charging points for electric and plug-in hybrid cars in streets and parking areas across Britain.

Set aside by the Government as part of a £400 million investment in the development, manufacture and use of next-generation ultra-low carbon vehicles, the fund will support establishing up to half a dozen regions to trumpet electric car technology.

Called Plugged-in Places, it is aimed at gaining experience that will help set up a national charging infrastructure.

Transport Secretrary Lord Adonis said: 'The UK can be a world leader in electric and low carbon cars - that's why the Government has already committed substantial funds to encourage the development and uptake.

'Our aim is for electric and low carbon cars to be an everyday feature of life on our roads in less than five years. But there is still a lot of work to be done and Plugged-in Places is one very significant step toward the future.'

The total number of charging infrastructures supported by the initiative depends on local plans and needs and the Government is hoping its investment will be matched by successful applicants.

Business minister Pat McFadden added: 'The move to lower-carbon forms of transport is a turning point for the automotive industry, opening up new opportunities with the potential to create new jobs.

'Our aim is for Britain to become a global centre for low carbon transport development, manufacturing and delivery and we are backing businesses who want to help make this happen.'