Nick Clegg takes green cars up a gear

Nick Clegg announced today that the Government is going to invest £500 million into electric cars. The funding, brought forward by the Lib Dems, will boost the ultra low emissions vehicle industry and help drivers afford and feel more confident using electric cars.

The investment will create jobs, reduce emissions and set the agenda for the industry, so that Britain remains at the forefront of green technology.

During a visit to the Transport Research Laboratory with Danny Alexander, Nick said:

"Our economy is growing thanks to sectors like our thriving automotive industry that are helping repair and rebalance the economy, building a fairer society for this generation and the next.

"The UK has the potential to emerge as a world leader in the development, design and manufacture of green vehicles.

"Owning an electric car is no longer a dream or an inconvenience. Manufacturers are turning to this new technology to help motorists make their every day journeys green and clean.

"This major investment is there to make driving an electric car affordable, convenient, and free from anxiety about the battery running out. But it's also about creating a culture change in our towns and cities so that driving a greener vehicle is a no-brainer for most drivers."

As well as being better for the environment, there are other advantages to driving an electric vehicle as drivers pay no road tax or congestion charge. For longer journeys, there will be a rapid charge-point at every motorway service station by the end of the year, and a network of 500 rapid chargers across the country by March 2015 - the best network in Europe.

Danny Alexander said:

"Ultra low emission vehicles bring together our most successful manufacturing sectors with our biggest long-term challenge - climate change. Britain can be the leading country in the world in developing, manufacturing and using ULEVs. This half billion pound Government investment will help to ensure we rise to the challenge."