With the UK being the 2nd largest emitter of CO₂ in Europe, it takes its responsibilities towards climate change very serious. In many ways the country has stolen the march on its European partners as regards pro-active climate legislation. cars21.com has talked to key stakeholders to take a holistic view at the UK’s policies framing electric mobility.

At the kernel of the UK’s activity towards a low-carbon society is the 2008 Climate Change Act, a unique piece of legislation committing the country to reduce 80% of its emissions by 2050. Needless to say, the challenge is overwhelming yet advocates and legislators are positive this can be achieved.

Occupying a good chunk of the climate pie chart with 131MtCO₂, transport is a healthy contributor to Britain’s emissions. Electric vehicles as well as other low carbon vehicles are seen as a strategic solution to the problem. However, only in part. The approach to achieve 159 MtCO₂ is a holistic one where “isolated approaches” are not an option, as David Kennedy, Chief Director of the Climate Change committee puts its. Moving to e-mobility requires that energy sources become carbon free and renewable, or at least long lasting, at the same time. However this would, EV skeptics point out, ensure more energy consumption and eventually offset any real CO₂ reductions made.

A Society Re-Think

What lies behind the success of the EV is really a public rethink about transport. The underlying current for experts is that we must all begin to think strategically about when to travel, how to travel and the fundamental functions of a car. However this is potentially the greatest challenge policy makers and industry face as mass adaption to new technologies is never an easy task.

Luca Lytton, of the Royal Automotive Club, attributes this to the fact that for 100 years consumers have enjoyed the multi-purpose functions of their cars. Realising the limitations with regards to distance has a evoked a form of ‘range anxiety’ among consumers. A current tactic by local authorities, government and larger companies to counter this is to ensure greater visibility of the charging infrastructure, as is being done in London.

An Infrastructure to calm Range Anxiety

“The market will not drive itself”, rather it is the government that must take the lead on providing the necessary infrastructure for charging and recharging EVs, says David Kennedy. “Plugged in places” highlights this as it is a government initiative, worth £30 million, designed to kick start investment in the infrastructure.

Boris Johnson, London’s Mayor, proudly announced during the Copenhagen summit of Mayors in December 2009 that London aims to become the electric capital of Europe. To solidify this claim he acknowledged that providing the necessary infrastructure was vital. Thus, allaying an average Londoners range anxiety, he announced that no driver would be more than 1 mile from the next charge point.

Capitals & Investments

In particular the government has invested heavily to ensure that the north-east of England becomes one of the leading Low Carbon Economic Area’s (LCEA) in Europe. This is helped by a healthy €100 (£90) million investment opportunity by the European Investment Bank (EIB). Ensuring that charging stations have mushroomed up around various cities and regions will calm citizens nerves.

High profile investment projects and progressive EV policies are not only supposed to help the environment but will ensure job security and stimulate foreign investment. “We are keen to ensure that UK industry is able to capitalise in full on the economic opportunities that a shift to low carbon represents” a Department for Transport (DfT) spokesperson states.

Attempts to court Nissan is a key example given that it is in the process of choosing an assembly facility for its EV the Leaf. Sunderland is competing with other European sites for the factory given the jobs and investment this will create. Earlier this year, in an attempt to woo Nissan, Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Business Secretary Peter Mandelson attended the announcement of Nissan’s five year €200 million investment in a new plant that would produce EV batteries.

Initiatives like this are vital in ensuring that the British car industry, which provides £10 billion GVA to the economy, stays strong and ahead in cutting edge technology. “The move to ultra-low carbon vehicles is an opportunity to reinvigorate the UK automotive industry”, states the DfT, before adding that the “UK excels in developing the innovative and advanced engineering solutions required by the transition to electric drive vehicles”.