Today, the Prime Minister is set to announce a £106 million investment for projects advancing green battery, vehicle, and refuelling technologies at the UK’s first Zero Emission Vehicle Summit held in Birmingham. The PM will outline the UK’s ambitious mission to lead in low emission technology as part of efforts to maintain environmental sustainability.
The government will also introduce an international declaration aimed at promoting the global deployment of green vehicles and smart, zero-emission infrastructure. Initial signatories to the ‘Birmingham Declaration’ include Italy, France, Denmark, the United Arab Emirates, Portugal, Belarus, and Indonesia. More countries are expected to join as discussions continue, laying the foundation for increased international engagement at climate conferences throughout the year to expedite global environmental transitions.
The PM stated her vision for the UK to spearhead change by collaborating with industries and nations worldwide. Her goal is for the UK to be at the forefront of designing and manufacturing zero-emission vehicles, with a target for all new cars and vans to be effectively zero-emission by 2040. The UK’s electric car manufacturing sector already accounts for one-in-five sales in Europe, and its battery technology is among the best globally, largely owing to the comprehensive ‘Road to Zero’ strategy, which details how to achieve the target of all new cars and vans being zero-emission by 2040 and entirely zero-emission by 2050.
Today’s announcement includes over £100 million in funding for innovators in the ultra-low emission vehicle and hydrogen technology sectors. Furthermore, industry stakeholders have committed an additional £500 million to related projects, promising 1,000 new jobs across the UK. These measures aim to drive the development and adoption of cleaner vehicles and necessary infrastructure, thereby significantly reducing a major source of global warming emissions in line with the Paris Climate Change Agreement.
This initiative is part of the government’s ‘Future of Mobility Grand Challenge,’ detailed in its modern Industrial Strategy. The plan aims not only to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also to make travel safer, improve accessibility, and create significant economic opportunities for the UK.
The Prime Minister’s announcement signifies a robust commitment to positioning the UK as a global leader in green technology, aiming for substantial environmental, economic, and social benefits.