U.K. Ups Spending on EV Charging Infrastructure, R&D

The U.K. government announces £32 million ($49.6 million) in funding over the next five years to create a network of charge points to support the expanding market for plug-in vehicles.

The Ministry for Transport says homes, hospitals, train stations and secondary roads will be among the locations for additional charge points to maintain the region’s position as a global leader in the technology.

The support follows the growing popularity of ultra-low-emission vehicles with subsidy claims rising fourfold year-on-year to total 14,498 units in 2014.

The government pays £5,000 ($7,748) toward the purchase of an ULEV car and £8,000 ($12,398) toward the cost of a van. More than 25,000 grant claims have been made since the scheme began in 2010.

In the latest funding, £15 million ($23.2 million) will be used to continue an electric-vehicle home-charging installation program that gives ULEV drivers a 75% grant of up to £700 ($1,085).

There is £8 million ($12.4 million) to support public charging infrastructure across the U.K. which, added to £15 million ($23.2 million) Highways Agency funding announced last year, will deliver charge points on major roads and across towns and cities. Bidding will open in May.

The last £9 million ($14 million) will be used to address other infrastructure priorities such as ensuring the U.K.’s charge-point network remains accessible and open for users.

The government also is providing £11 million ($17.1 million) to 50 organizations, ranging from small businesses to major universities, who are working together on 15 ULEV-related R&D projects.

These include the creation of a new, recycled carbon-fiber material that will bring lightweight, low-cost vehicle chassis structures to the mass market, and a prototype zero-emissions power and cooling system adapted from a liquid-nitrogen-powered engine that will dramatically reduce carbon-dioxide emissions from refrigerated trucks and air-conditioned buses.

The government says the niche-vehicle sector, which makes everything from premium sports cars to double-decker buses, will receive another £500,000 ($775,134) this year to support the development of carbon-saving technologies.