Exeter leading the way in green motoring

Published: 21 January 2020

Exeter is the UK’s greenest motoring hotspot, with the fastest growth in ultra low-emission vehicle (ULEV) ownership, new figures have revealed.

Data from the DVLA shows that ownership of ULEVs in Exeter has increased by 157% over the last 12 months.

Figures for the third quarter of 2019 show the city has 1,194 ULEVs registered compared to 464 at the same period in 2018.

Next on the list is Warwick, with a total of 943 ULEVs and Newham 657. Gloucestershire is bottom of the pile with annual growth in ULEV registrations less than 6%.

ULEV is the term used to describe any vehicle that uses low carbon technologies, emits less than 75g of CO2/km from the tailpipe and is capable of operating in zero tailpipe emission zone for a range of at least 10 miles (SMMT).

ULEVs range from pure electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles, to plug-in hybrids and extended range electric vehicles.

The figures are good news for Exeter, which is striving to become a carbon neutral city by 2030.

Cllr David Harvey, Lead Councillor for Environment and City Management, said: “It is very encouraging to see that more and more people in Exeter are moving to ultra low emission vehicles.

“As we strive to become carbon neutral by 2020, it’s really important that everyone does their bit for the environment.”

The City Council runs a fleet of electric vehicles and has installed electric vehicle charging points in car parks across Exeter.

Plans for the future include a solar and battery power smart grid that will connect to the National Grid and supply green electricity to the city as well as powering the Council’s electric vehicles.