Electric Vehicles – The Answer to the UK’s Air Pollution Problem?

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Overview

• The UK government came under scrutiny in recent years when it came to light that the level of air pollution across the country was in breach of EU limits. Japan currently boasts the third largest fleet of electric vehicles in the world; falling behind the USA and China.

• At first it seemed that the UK government was not taking the threat of air pollution seriously. However, in recent years the UK government have solidified their commitment to tackling air pollution with electric vehicles playing a key role.

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Level of Air Pollution Across the UK Was Too High

1. The UK government came under scrutiny when it came to light that the level of air pollution across the country was in breach of EU limits.

2. Emissions from traditional vehicles was a key contributor to the high levels of air pollution across the UK.

3. It seemed that the UK government was not taking the threat of air pollution seriously.

4. Little was being done to reduce air pollution, with few incentives offered to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles. The electric vehicle infrastructure was lagging behind its European counterparts.

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Action Was Taken

1. However, in recent years; in particular recent months the UK government has solidified their commitment to tackling air pollution with electric vehicles playing a key role.

2. In October 2016, the government assigned £35 million of the budget to improve electric vehicle infrastructure; to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles across the country. Subsidies are available to install chargers at home.

3. Thousands of electric vehicles charging points will soon be installed across the UK as a result of additional funding.

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Future Plans for a Cleaner Environment

1. Clean Air Zones have also been proposed for five UK cites - Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Derby and Southampton. This proposal aims to have clean air zones by 2020.

2. Electric vehicles are key to reducing air pollution in the five cities.

3. Whilst the proposal is still being drafted, initial suggestions include:

• banning high polluting vehicles from city centres

• providing discounts on low emission vehicles

• provision of infrastructure for electric vehicle owners

• allowing electric vehicle drivers to use bus lanes.

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Electric Vehicles in the UK: A Success Story

The number of electric vehicles have shot-up in recent years. 1. Between 2013 and 2016 the number of electric vehicles rose from a mere 3,500

to 90,000!

2. An optimistic target has been set: that 9% of all vehicles in the UK will be ultra-low emission vehicles by 2020

3. With the UK continuing to take a stronger position against air pollution, it is certain that the electric vehicle market and infrastructure will prosper as a result.

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