ETA

The government has announced plans to invest £23 million in new environmental transport research and development projects.

Studies will attempt to accelerate the introduction of low carbon vehicles into the market and maximise the benefit of that initiative to UK businesses.

Funding will be made available by the Technology Strategy Board and the Department for Transport through the Low Carbon Vehicles Innovation Platform.

Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said: “Developing cleaner and more efficient vehicles is vitally important in our efforts to combat climate change.

“I hope that this will stimulate further growth in the market and that low carbon vehicles will soon be a common sight on our roads.”

This week, vehicle manufacturer NICE claimed that running an electric car can be as much as £3,000 cheaper than owning a standard car fuelled by petrol.

Electric vehicles are exempt from annual road tax and running costs are estimated at around 2p per mile, a tenth of the average price for a standard vehicle, according to the firm.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association said: “We British have an enviable reputation as pioneers in the field of engineering so we are well placed to lead in the development of low-carbon vehicles.”

The ETA is a not-for-profit ethical organisation providing motorists with carbon-neutral breakdown cover and insurance products. As well as encouraging responsible driving to reduce carbon, the ETA campaigns for sustainable transport.