12 cities in the UK have made a bid for £35 million of funding to help increase uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles. The shortlisted authorities have all put forward a list of initiatives that parliament is hoping will help to position the UK as part of the world's leading markets for electric vehicles and eco-innovation. The new £35 million 'Go Ultra Low' Cities Scheme will be used to reward the local authorities that best demonstrate potential for delivering significant uptake of ULEVs.æ Each of the cities that applied were expected to demonstrate a real vision for how they can become an international example of ULEV uses.

  • Those cities that win will be notified before the end of this year.
  • Some of the proposals made by cities already to have applied include:
  • A new car-scrappage scheme designed to replace conventionally fuelled vehicles with ULEVs.
  • The removal of current council vehicles, and to replace them with electric and ULEVs.
  • EV carpools to be used by public and private sector employees
  • LED streetlights that can also double-up as electric vehicle charge points.
  • Street community charging facilities in areas where charging is currently limited
  • Long-term electric vehicle parking at major transport hubs

The twelve councils to apply for the roles are the City of York Council, the Department for Regional Development of Northern Ireland, Dundee City Council, Greater London Authority, Leicester City Council, Milton Keynes Council, North East Combined Authority, Nottingham City Council, Oxford City Council, Sheffield City Council, West of England and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: 'We are determined to maintain international leadership on the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles. I look forward to seeing the winning ideas for greener, cheaper cars in action. This funding for eco-cities is part of our £500 million funding programme over the next five years to support British industry and achieve our ambition of almost every car, bus and van in the UK being ultra-low emission by 2050.î