With the General Election fast approaching, Next Green Car compares the key motoring elements of each of the main parties’ manifestos.

In [this] policy comparison, we focus on green vehicle issues and advances in autonomous and connected technologies; subjects we cover day-to-day on the website. Ultra low emission vehicles, air quality, electric vehicle issues and autonomous driving plans are all covered.

In the interest of neutrality, parties are listed alphabetically and cover both previously announced promises and those new elements revealed in the latest manifestos. The three main parties which have published their manifestos are included – other parties will be added when their manifestos are released.

Conservatives

• Aim to lead the world in electric vehicle and autonomous vehicles
• Almost every car and van to be zero-emission by 2050
• Invest in smart grids for more efficient EV charging
• Modest roll-out of Clean Air Zones as part of air quality plans

Although the Conservative manifesto is rather light on motoring-related announcements, as the party in power they have already implemented a number of clear policies relating to low and ultra low emission vehicles.

The headline policy is the ambition

“for Britain to lead the world in electric vehicle technology and use….” and for “almost every car and van to be zero-emission by 2050”.

To achieve this, the Conservative Party has already earmarked funding of £600 million by 2020, which will take the total investment since 2011 to £900 million, extending a policy that was initiated under the previous Conservative-Lib Dem coalition. Investment is also planned for ‘smart grids’ designed to make the most efficient use of electricity infrastructure through the use of Vehicle to Grid (V2G) technology….. Read more, Next Greencar

Labour

• Return the railways back into public ownership
• Work towards zero road deaths in UK
• Maintain UK at forefront of the manufacture and use of ultra low emission vehicles
• Retrofit diesel buses to Euro 6 standards

Labour’s key message is that the party

“will invest in a modern, integrated, accessible and sustainable transport system that is reliable and affordable.”

Road safety is an important element of the party’s transport agenda, with aims to work towards zero deaths on the UK transport network. The manifesto lays out a number of policies to

“encourage and enable people to get out of their cars, for better health and a cleaner environment.”

To achieve these aims, Labour’s main focus is to improve public transport and reduce fares. One central element of this policy is the aim to return the railways back into public ownership, a policy that has already gained much coverage since the manifesto launch. While there is less focus (and detail) on road vehicle technology in the document, the party is committed to maintaining the UK at the forefront of the development, manufacture and use of ultra low emission vehicles, and supporting the creation of clean modes of transport through investment in low emission vehicles…. Read more, Next Greencar

Liberal Democrats

• Creation of a new Green Transport Act
• Ban on sale of diesel cars and vans by 2025
• Encourage manufacture and uptake of electric vehicles
• Introduce ultra-low-emission zones and Clean Air Zones to ten towns and cities

In the Lib Dems’ manifesto, the party sets out a detailed set of measures to reduce environmental impact of transport, which would be implemented through the creation of a Green Transport Act. This would include an air quality plan to tackle air pollution, and support for manufacturers of low-emission and electric vehicles.

The plans include a diesel scrappage scheme, and a ban on the sale of diesel cars and small vans in the UK by 2025. All private hire vehicles and diesel buses licensed to operate in urban areas would have to to run on ultra-low-emission or zero-emission fuels within five years. The party would also reform vehicle taxation to encourage sales of electric and low emission vehicles….Read more, Next Greencar

Read more: Next Greencar