The Department for Transport and Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) have carried on and moved forward with zero-emission ambitions, as green number plates have been confirmed for roll out from Autumn.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, confirmed the announcement last week (June 16), as part of the drive for net zero emissions by 2050.

Drivers will be encouraged to switch to electric vehicles with the introduction of green number plates, to support local authorities with designing and implementing new policies to incentivise the public.

Other incentives will include cheaper parking, and cost-free entry into zero-emission zones for those with a green number plate.

In addition, a £12m funding pot has been announced for research into the zero-emission market for the delivery of green vehicles and charging technology.

£10m of the funding, made available through OLEV and delivered through Innovate UK, will go into a new Zero Emission Vehicle Innovation Competition, where applicants can bid for funding to support battery electric and hydrogen vehicle advances.

The remaining £2m will be for small and medium sized businesses to underpin research into zero-emission vehicles, whilst driving local economic growth and the potential of creating over 6,000 skilled jobs.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

  • “A green recovery is key to helping us achieve our net zero carbon commitments while also promoting economic growth.
  • “Green number plates could unlock a number of incentives for drivers and increase awareness of cleaner vehicles on our roads, showing people that a greener transport future is within our grasp.
  • “We’re supporting small businesses to develop the transport tech of the future through a multi-million pound investment, ensuring that UK businesses remain at the forefront of low carbon innovation and research.’’
It comes after public consultation collected feedback from the public, local authorities and industry stakeholders on the best way to introduce the new number plates.