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 UK Government’s 2009 Budget
Posted by on 2009-04-29 05:51:55
contributed by gfoat
Future Energies welcomes the UK Government’s 2009 Budget, which has set the world’s first legally binding targets to reduce C02 emissions. These must be reduced by 34% by 2020, or 42% if international agreement can be reached, perhaps at Copenhagen in December. Support for the mass production of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles is an important part of the Government’s strategy, but comprehensive action will be needed, involving the existing electric vehicle industry as well as developers of micro renewable energies.
In Budget 2009, £250m has been allocated to low carbon vehicles, the majority of which will be used to reduce the up-front costs of early electric and plug-in hybrid cars by between £2,000 and £5,000 from 2011. Based on an average grant of £3500, this would assume that in the region of 60,000 battery and plug-in hybrid vehicles will be supported. Up to £20m of the funding will be allocated to cities, regions and the private sector to add to the existing small number of recharging facilities. In the meantime, the Technology Strategy Board will evaluate over 200 ultra low carbon vehicles on the roads. The Government will also provide support through the tax system, with electric vehicles paying no fuel duty or vehicle excise duty.
This is an excellent start, but we cannot wait until 2011 for grants to assist purchasers of electric vehicles. We should start now to build up vehicle sales and the required infrastructure, so that we are ready for the production of tens of thousands of electric vehicles by the automotive industry in a few years time. Trained electrical engineers and sales staff will be needed and a comprehensive recharging infrastructure put in place. Most of the electric vehicle recharging will be carried out at people’s homes overnight, when there is surplus low cost electricity available, but businesses and communities will have to establish recharging equipment in residential streets, at garages, bus and railway stations, shopping areas, commercial and industrial centres, leisure facilities, schools and hospitals.
Equally important is backing for engineers who are developing micro energy generators to provide clean zero carbon power for electric vehicles. With a little assistance from the Government, small innovative companies could help communities and owners of electric vehicles to generate their own electricity on site from renewable energy sources and expedite the introduction of energy storage devices and smart meters. Many development projects are underway with micro wind energy collectors, which operate in variable wind conditions, cheaper solar panels, low head hydro and systems which create energy from waste via gasification or anaerobic digestion. Flywheels and hydrogen fuel cell systems can also be used to store intermittent energy from renewable energy sources. These new energy systems will have to be established around the country if electric vehicles are to fulfil their potential to provide clean, zero carbon transport.
In order to expedite the build up of the infrastructure, grants should be extended this year to electric vans and cars built by the existing electric vehicle industry. As production increases, pure electric and hybrid power trains can be installed in chassis supplied by the automotive industry. Many people would be happy with a car with a range of 70 miles on one charge or 150 miles if they paid for a more expensive battery. For longer distance journeys, new batteries can be recharged rapidly in ten to thirty minutes. The whole point of the new transport system is that electric vehicles will be part of an efficient infrastructure, comprised of reliable, fast public transport and car hire clubs, as well as encouraging more walking and cycling for short journeys.
The opportunities for exports will be tremendous as developing countries aim to improve the life style of their people but are reluctant to emulate western oil based transport systems. New lightweight materials are being developed which will ensure longer vehicle lifetime, thereby reducing the volume of metals which are mined, transported around the world, manufactured and then scrapped. Developers of renewable energy systems are aiming to power their manufacturing processes with energy from renewable sources, so that we will have practically zero emission vehicles.
For more information on electric powertrains contact Green MotorSport
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