UK will aim for 1.5 million EVs by 2020

but will it get it????


The UK has a target for around 1.5 million electric cars on the roads in the country by 2020-according to the EU.

That’s interesting because in a Government response to a Transport Select Committee report, released earlier this week, we we’re told that the UK would not set targets for plug-in vehicles because it would not be ‘helpful’. what a random comment.. helpful to whom!!!

As the European Commission (EC) launches its new Clean Fuel Strategy today-designed to help build infrastructure for alternative fuel vehicles across Europe-it revealed details of targets for charging stations and electric vehicle numbers for member states.

That includes the UK for the time being!!!!

In the meantime, the new strategy makes for fascinating reading. The EC has identified three key barriers to the uptake of cleaner fuels; the high cost of vehicles, a a low level of consumer acceptance, and the lack of recharging and refuelling stations. This the EC says is a vicious circle. Refuelling stations are not being built because there are not enough vehicles. Vehicles are not sold at competitive prices because there is not enough demand.

To address this problem, the Commission proposes setting binding targets for member states for a minimum level of clean fuel infrastructure; including fueling stations for electricity, hydrogen and natural gas vehicles, as well as common EU wide standards for the refueling equipment.

EC Vice President Siim Kallas responsible for Transport said. "Developing innovative and alternative fuels is an obvious way to make Europe’s economy more resource efficient, to reduce our over-dependence on oil and develop a transport industry which is ready to respond to the demands of the 21st century. Between them, China and the US plan to have more than 6 million electric vehicles on the road by 2020. This is major opportunity for Europe to establish a strong position in a fast growing global market."  

Measures to tackle a so-far inconsistent and fragmented approach to building infrastructure include using a common plug for electric vehicles to enable owners to roam and charge their cars more easily.  The Commission intends to make the "Type 2" plug as the common standard for the whole of Europe.

Fuel hoses for hydrogen fuel stations would too, be given a common standard, to encourage the uptake of fuel cell cars, while LNG and CNG infrastructure would be established to support shipping and commercial vehicles. Currently only Sweden has small scale LNG bunkering facility for sea going vessels. The Commission is proposing that LNG refuelling stations be installed in all 139 maritime and inland ports on the Trans European Core Network by 2020 and respectively 2025, and that refuelling stations for trucks be installed every 400km on roads within the network.