A dozen cities have been shortlisted for a share of the £35 million fund to become centres of excellence for low emission vehicles.
The Go Ultra Low city scheme will reward cities that demonstrate the greatest potential to become ‘internationally outstanding examples for adopting ultra low emission vehicles’ (ULEVs) in a local area.
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The scheme will run alongside an extra £30 million to allow local authorities and bus operators to help clean up urban air quality by replacing existing vehicles with greener, cutting-edge alternatives.
‘[The] 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 ultra-low emission vehicles…
‘This can help to transform people’s quality of life in their cities and build a stronger economy and is an important step towards our 2050 vision, when almost every car and van in the UK will be an ultra-low emission vehicle.’
Baroness Kramer, Transport Minister
The cities and authorities shortlisted for the £35 million Go Ultra Low city scheme (below) were announced by Transport Minister Baroness Kramer and Business Minister Matthew Hancock.
These shortlisted cities will be invited to develop their proposals over summer, and the winners will be announced in autumn.
The Department for Transport will assess bids for the bus funding against a range of criteria, including potential air quality improvements and value for money.
‘This investment will improve local air quality, reduce carbon emissions, and create growth opportunities for firms who develop and manufacture this kind of technology…
‘Our 12-strong shortlist containing cities from London to Dundee will now be whittled down to up to four to decide who will share £35 million of government funding. Supporting new technologies is a key part of our long-term economic plan.’
Matthew Hancock, Business Minister
The scheme builds on the Green Bus fund, which delivered around 1,250 low emission buses onto England’s roads.
The investment forms the latest part of a £500 million package set aside for ULEVs that was announced last year.
Baroness Kramer will visit Wales next week to discuss how the Department for Transport can continue to assist their progress on ULEV uptake, including their ambitions on hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
Seven major vehicle manufacturers and the government are backing Go Ultra Low to highlight the increasing variety and benefits of ULEVs.
The aim of the Go Ultra Low campaign is to increase consumer and fleet uptake of ULEVs. More information about these vehicles can be found here.
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