LEAD ROLE IN GREEN DRIVING REVOLUTION HAMPSHIRE has been encouraged to take the driving seat in the green car revolution by bidding for a slice of a multi-million pound fund.

The county is invited to bid for a share of a £35 million Go Ultra Low City Scheme fund which can be used in a range of ways to support ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs), such as installing chargepoints for electric cars and introducing low emission zones.

Previously Hampshire was granted £315,000 by the Government for installing chargepoints to increase the uptake of ULEVs. The new scheme will see up to four cities with the best proposals stand to get a share of the money with the aim of improving air quality and boosting local economies by creating more jobs.

All new vehicles will have an ULEV element by 2040 and there has been a steady rise in the number of people taking up low emission vehicles, as more models become available.

There are now more than 7,000 publicly accessible chargepoints installed at nearly 3,000 locations across the UK, and by the end of the year almost every motorway service station will have a rapid charger.

Transport Minister Baroness Kramer said: “This £35 million funding is an unequivocal signal from government that we are committed to improving air quality and making ultra low emission vehicles a practical and viable choice for more people.

“I would like to encourage local authorities to take up this fantastic opportunity. This can help to transform people’s quality of life in their cities and build a stronger economy.”

Alex Michaelides, a spokesman for the Go Ultra Low campaign, said: “The Go Ultra Low City Scheme is a fantastic opportunity for local authorities across the UK to make a meaningful change to the future of their city.

“With the average journey made by motorists being just seven miles and the typical range of a pure electric car around 100 miles, ULEVs can be a practical and viable option for drivers today.”

The deadline for submitted outline bids is February 20, 2015. Shortlisted cities will be invited to submit final bids by the end of August and the winner will be announced in the autumn.

Details are available online at dailyecho.co.uk.