Electric cars get £100m boost
In a bid to make greener motoring the norm, the fledgling electric car industry is expected to receive a £100 million boost from government.
It is thought that Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon will announce a scheme to provide a test fleet of electric cars and vans to towns and cities around Britain so that motorists can give feedback on living with the vehicles day to day.
The electric car market
| The electric car market | … at a glance |
|---|---|
| Percentage of cars in Britain that are electric | 0.004 |
| Number of major manufacturers that sells electric cars in Britain | 0 |
| Percentage of British emissions from road transport | 20 |
With Britain committed to cutting all greenhouse gases by 80% by 2050, up to £20 million has been earmarked for British research into developing the technology needed to make electric cars practical and affordable.
A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “Gordon Brown has suggested that by 2020 all new cars sold in Britain will be electric, or hybrid vehicles, but In order for this to happen there needs to be radical change.”
Electric cars: What’s good, what’s not so good
| Electric cars: What’s good | what’s not so good |
|---|---|
 In environmental terms, probably the best car option around especially if the electricity it uses comes from renewable sources |
 Generally low top speed (although electric cars can have surprisingly quick acceleration, so they can keep up with city traffic without any difficulty) |
| Zero emissions from the car itself makes it a saint in the city |
Limited range and lengthy recharging times means they are not suitable for long journeys |
| Extremely quiet |
The batteries cause pollution problems when the time comes to dispose of them |
|
Exempt from the London Congestion Charge, no road tax and only pennies per mile to run |
Expensive to buy |
Related articles:
Electric car with five seats launched
Free parking for electric cars withdrawn
Electric cars – tell me more
London taxis may go electric
What is the ETA?
The ETA is a not-for-profit ethical organisation providing motorists and cyclists with carbon-neutral breakdown cover and insurance products. As well as encouraging responsible driving to reduce carbon, the ETA campaigns for sustainable transport.
