By the year 2020, it is expected that the current amount of 900 million motor vehicles worldwide will double to 1.8 billion, mainly driven by China and India. Within the last year the price has fluctuated between €77 and €144 per Barrel crude oil. The continuously rising crude oil price can be directly linked to the motor vehicle growth rate of over 40% p.a. in the Asian countries. Due to this major increase of mobility, the currently available oil reserves are expected to reach their turning point in approximately ten years. In mid-2005, Great Britain, for the first time in their history, became a net importer of oil.
To extend the time frame of oil reserves, bio fuels are being used although they are at odds with production of aliments. By switching cultivated land from growing aliments to bio fuel, the price of corn rose by 25% within three months last year.
That is why alternative mobility with the use of renewable energies would offer a great opportunity of almost neutral CO2 transportation and would also avoid any contradiction with aliment production.
My paper is going to analyze Great Britain’s efforts to support and improve the environmental friendly mobility, especially the electric mobility, due to the leading role of Great Britain within the European Union on this alternative mobility technology.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Government Regulation and Incentivizes
2.1 Government Programmes
2.2 Vehicle Taxation
2.3 Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership LowCVP
2.4 Plugged-In Place
3. London
4. Local OEM and EVs
4.1 Smith Electric Vehicles
4.2 Lightning GT
5. Conclusion
II. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Core Themes
The primary objective of this paper is to examine the strategic efforts of Great Britain in fostering the electric mobility sector. It investigates how government policies, infrastructure development, and local automotive innovation position the United Kingdom within the European market for alternative fuel technologies.
- Government initiatives and financial support for electric vehicles
- Taxation frameworks and their impact on consumer adoption
- Urban infrastructure challenges and the role of London
- Technological advancements by domestic original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
Excerpt from the Publication
2.1 Government Programmes
The British Government has already committed to investments of approximately £500 million to support the development, production and purchase of electric vehicles. The money has been split up among different programmes:
£23 million for the Low Carbon Vehicle Innovation Platform
£200 million for the Low Carbon Vehicle Integrated Delivery Programme
Both of these programmes are managed by the Technology Strategy Board, or TSB. The TSB is a department installed by the government to promote and support projects which will improve economic growth and life quality.
The Integrated Delivery Programme was funded in cooperation with the industry, to reduce the time to achieve mass production of low carbon vehicles (including hydrogen) and to introduce these to British roads. The TSB coordinates funding worthy projects for research and development. Main contents of the programme are for example:
Strategic Research: Support University-based research with high potential for mass production technologies for the future, which are related to zero emission transportation.
Industry-led advisory panel: Set focus for main technologies on future road map. The Panel consists of members of the British electric mobility industry (Bee Automotive Ltd., Smith Electric Vehicle,...) and experts from Universities
Short- and long-term technological feasibility
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Discusses the global rise of motor vehicle usage and the resulting pressure on oil reserves, positioning electric mobility as a viable, sustainable alternative.
2. Government Regulation and Incentivizes: Details the financial commitments and policy frameworks, such as the TSB-managed programmes and tax structures, aimed at stimulating the electric vehicle market.
3. London: Analyzes the city's approach to reducing CO2 emissions through the Congestion Charge and promoting electric mobility as an urban transportation solution.
4. Local OEM and EVs: Provides an overview of domestic manufacturers, specifically Smith Electric Vehicles and the Lightning GT, highlighting their contributions to the industry.
5. Conclusion: Reflects on the progress of the British electric mobility industry and expresses cautious optimism regarding its future competitive standing.
Keywords
Electric mobility, Great Britain, CO2 reduction, Government incentives, TSB, Infrastructure, Sustainable transportation, Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, Congestion Charge, Automotive industry, Smith Electric Vehicles, Lightning GT, Renewable energy, Zero emission, Electric vehicles
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main subject of this document?
This paper examines the state and development of the electric vehicle (EV) market in Great Britain, focusing on government policies and industrial support.
What are the core thematic areas discussed?
The paper covers government funding, taxation policies for clean vehicles, urban traffic management in London, and the development of British automotive companies.
What is the primary objective of this study?
The goal is to analyze how Great Britain uses regulation and economic incentives to become a leading nation in electric mobility within the European Union.
Which scientific methods are applied?
The author utilizes an analytical approach, reviewing government reports, industry data, and existing literature on environmental policy and automotive development.
What is the focus of the main section?
The main section evaluates specific government programs, the impact of vehicle taxation, urban initiatives like the London Congestion Charge, and specific company profiles.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include electric mobility, CO2 reduction, sustainable transportation, government incentives, and British automotive innovation.
How does the British government support the purchase of electric cars?
The government has implemented various incentive packages, including grants for electric vehicle purchasers and funding for charging infrastructure.
What is the role of the "Plugged-In Place" initiative?
It is a £30 million government initiative designed to develop charging infrastructure for electric vehicles across various cities and regions in the UK.
What significance does the "Congestion Charge" hold for electric mobility?
The charge encourages the use of electric vehicles by making them a tax-efficient or exempt alternative for driving within inner London.
- Quote paper
- Philipp Gauß (Author), 2010, The Electric Car and Britain, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/157327
