ELECTRIC VEHICLES AT CENTRE OF UK RENEWABLE ENERGY STRATEGY
The UK government has signaled a greater role for electric vehicles in its Renewable Energy Strategy Consultation announced late June 2008. The strategy picks up on the recommendations of the King Review, which calls for the electrification of the vehicle fleet to achieve low carbon transport by 2050.
The new renewables strategy will increase the availability of renewable electricity produced using wind, tidal and wave power, as well as microgeneration. It notes that since electric vehicles can be charged over night they could help improve the viability of renewable energy generation by smoothing out peaks in demand.
A consultation period will follow over the next three months.
The strategy also calls for views on sustainability criteria for biofuels and on the potential for adapting the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) to provide greater levels of renewable energy in transport. Announced ahead of the publication of the Gallagher Review on the indirect effects of biofuels production, the report states: "Gallagher's findings will be important to the development of the Government's biofuel policies and targets". The government is also seeking views on how to facilitate the development of second and third-generation biofuels, which are made from non-food sources.