There are six winning projects that will receive total funds of 52 million pounds (the rest of the money comes from business contributions). The list includes the development of new powerplants for plug-in hybrid versions of vehicles belonging to the Nissan, Lotus and Jaguar Land Rover, an electric trash bin wagon, development of lightweight materials that would reduce overall vehicle mass as well as innovative technologies that rely on thermal energy to deliver power.
The customers who opt for electric, plug-in hybrid or hydrogen vehicles will benefit from a subsidy of 5,000 pounds. The Government has also issued a list of criteria that must be met by a vehicle, in order for it to be eligible for the subsidy (safety and crash tests).
"The government believes that this combined support will place the UK at the forefront of low carbon automotive development and provide a vital economic boost for the UK economy by giving us a key competitive advantage in this increasingly important global market," an official statement reads.
In addition to that, progress is being made in the national recharging network program, with info released to the 15 locations interested in biding for the second round of the program.
“Collaboration between UK-based vehicle manufacturers, supply chain companies and academia will help Britain become one of the leading centres for the design, development and manufacture of ultra-low carbon vehicles,” said Business minister Mark Prisk.
Google News