Office for Low Emission Vehicles

What we do

The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) is a team working across government to support the early market for ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV). We are providing over £900 million to position the UK at the global forefront of ULEV development, manufacture and use. This will contribute to economic growth and will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution on our roads.

Responsibilities

We are responsible for:

  • grants to reduce the upfront cost of new ULEVs
  • a programme of research through the Technology Strategy Board and supporting wider green growth opportunities
  • encouraging UK businesses to seize commercial opportunities in the ULEV sector
  • raising awareness, developing and strengthen the capability of ULEV manufacturing, demonstration and the associated UK supply chain
  • a nationwide recharging infrastructure strategy, including funding to eight pilot areas under the Plugged-in Places programme
  • contributing to the development of new carbon dioxide emissions standards

Priorities

For 2013 our priorities are to:

  • ensure the UK remains one of the premier global markets for ULEVs
  • develop new initiatives to overcome barriers to uptake of ULEVs
  • work jointly with the major ULEV manufacturers on public communications
  • refresh our plug-in vehicle infrastructure strategy
  • provide grants to reduce the up front cost of new ULEVs
  • work with industry in the next phase of the joint industry-government UKH₂Mobility project on hydrogen for transport
  • support research and development and the ULEV supply chain

Who we are

OLEV comprises staff and funding from:

We are also supported by staff on secondment from industry and academia.

We work on these topics

  1. Transport

    Safe and dependable transport is essential to UK society and the economy. The government is working to make rail, road, air and water transport more efficient and effective, keep them safe and secure, and reduce greenhouse gas and other emissions. Read more

  2. Climate change

    The government is working at home and abroad to adapt to the effects of climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by investing in low-carbon energy sources, improving fuel standards in cars and increasing energy efficiency wherever possible. Read more

Our policies

  1. Reducing greenhouse gases and other emissions from transport

    The government is taking steps to reduce carbon emissions from all forms of transport in the UK

See all our policies

Documents

Our announcements

  1. Nick Clegg’s drive to make UK world leader in electric cars

    • 30 January 2014
    • Press release

  2. Making Britain number one for ultra low emission vehicles

    • 7 November 2013
    • Press release

See all our announcements

Our consultations

  1. Measures to support uptake of ultra low emission vehicles from 2015 to 2020

    • 7 November 2013
    • Closed consultation

See all our consultations

Our publications

  1. Low Emission HGV Task Force: recommendations on use of methane and biomethane in HGVs

    • 13 March 2014
    • Guidance

  2. Plug-in Van Grant

    • 3 February 2014
    • Guidance

See all our publications

Contact OLEV

Office for Low Emission Vehicles

Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road
London
SW1P 4DR

Make an FOI request

  1. Read about the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and how to make a request
  2. Check our previous releases to see if we’ve already answered your question
  3. Make a new request by contacting us at:

Freedom of Information requests

FOI Requests
Department for Transport
Information Rights & Records Unit
D/01, Ashdown House
Sedlescombe Road North
St Leonards on Sea
TN37 7GA

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