York Could Be UK’s First Zero-Emission City – With Only Bikes And Electric Vehicles
YORK could bid to become the first zero-emission city centre in the country when the lockdown is lifted. Transport secretary Grant Shapps announced the government wants at least once city centre to be restricted to bikes and electric vehicles only – as people are encouraged to cycle and walk while public transportation capacity is reduced due to coronavirus. And councilors are calling for York to bid to become the UK’s first showpiece zero-emissions city.
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Without an iota of doubt, this is the way forward, not only for York, but all cities and major urban centres in the UK. In our view, though it is good to note this initiative by the UK government, it simply is not bold enough. The government should at least look to introduce this scheme in a few cities, such that, the initiative can cover between 10% to 25% of the population.
Also the government needs to think beyond just restricting internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. It needs to either encourage the private sector to introduce more shared mobility schemes, or incubate such schemes either under direct public ownership or under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Mobility schemes should cover conventional cycles, electric bikes, electric scooters, electric kick scooters and EVs. It is important to create a mobility framework that ‘enables’ the transition. Even in regards to zero-emission battery electric vehicles (BEVs), the city needs to evaluate further the type of vehicles allowed. It should overtime restrict the city centres to only smaller green cars. Moreover, it should also make certain the availability of EV charging infrastructure, powered only by green energy.
Bottom-line, the government will need to develop a more detailed and impactful plan for cities like York, that truly have a sustained and comprehensive long-term positive impact.
Electric Cars Will Cut Total CO2 By 12%, Study Shows
Total carbon emissions in the UK will be cut by almost 12 per cent if the country exclusively uses electric cars in the future, a new study shows. Research by Nottingham Trent University shows that 42 million of CO2 (MtCO2) will be removed from the atmosphere in the UK – a reduction of 11.89 per cent of the UK’s 351.5 MtCO2 total emitted last year.
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Another study that concludes what many others already have i.e. all-electric cars are the better option for the UK transportation framework, as the UK government strives for net-zero by 2050. However we need to think beyond simply replacing the existing 32 million cars and taxis in the UK , with emission-free pure electric cars. We need to envision a far more fundamental change, that also includes significantly reducing personal car ownership and promoting mobility solutions like cycles, public transportation, e-bikes, e-scooters and of course sharing schemes. In fact, we at e-zoomed are calling for a much bolder vision, such that we aim to reduce the total number of vehicles on our roads in the UK by 50%. It is only then, will we start achieving an utopia that is meaningful for the longer term. Less is more, is our motto in this regards. We should target at least a 24 per cent reduction instead of a 12% reduction in UK’s carbon emissions.
Electric Cars Top UK Bestsellers List For April 2020
Two electric cars – the Tesla Model 3 and the Jaguar I-Pace – topped the sales rankings in April. We explore whether these warrant their top spots, or if you should look at other zero-emission models.
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We agree with Which?, in that, the number of electric cars on the bestsellers list will only increase, as we move towards the ban date for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. However, we believe the list will become dominated by electric cars much sooner than the proposed ban date i.e. 2035. We expect well within this decade to witness pure electric cars take more than 50% share of the best seller list.
We at e-zoomed are more than happy to assist you buying your Next Green Car and with all your EV needs, to include:
- Compare and buy your next green car
- Compare and buy best electric car insurance deals in the UK
- Compare and buy best electric car breakdown cover in the UK
- Compare and buy green electricity for your home and electric vehicle
- Compare and buy best priced electric car charging cables and EV accessories
- Compare and buy best e-scooters!
- Compare and buy electric kick scooters
- Compare and buy an e-bike
