Creating green parking bays for electric cars is just one of a series of new government proposals announced today to prepare the country for an electric future, as part of World EV Day.
With electric charging bays not always clear to use for EV owners – and sometimes being blocked by those in petrol and diesel vehicles – the government is considering introducing green-coloured parking spaces for electric car charging bays. The government also wants to see consistent and clear public signage on UK roads.
Other plans include introducing more charge points at supermarkets and popular tourist hotspots.
On World EV day today, the government has also announced an additional £12m in funding for research and development into EV technologies – including a scheme that’s looking at offering a six-minute battery charge, which is much quicker than that offered by electric cars currently.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Whether you’re taking a trip with the family or commuting to work, with the wide range of models at competitive prices, it is now more cost-effective and convenient than ever to drive and charge an electric vehicle.
“This, together with our continued support for R&D, will see talented UK-based firms flourish, as well as more than 6,000 skilled jobs created up and down the country. This is why, on the world’s first-ever day dedicated to celebrating electric vehicles, I’m delighted to announce our unwavering support for a cleaner, greener transport future.”
Elsewhere, government-run Highways England has launched a £9.3m scheme that will allow businesses to try out EVs for free before buying, with firms being offered a two-month trial of a vehicle to see how it slots into their day-to-day running.
