OLEV or OZEV – and what it is?

The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) is a team working across UK government to support the transition to zero emission vehicles (ZEVs). They are providing support for the take-up of plug in vehicles, as well as funding to support chargepoint infrastructure across the UK. This will contribute to economic growth and will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution on our roads.

OZEV was formally known as OLEV – the Office for Low Emission Vehicles, and currently comprises staff and funding from the Department for Transport, and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

So, what are the responsibilities and priorities of the OZEV team?

They are responsible for:

• grants to reduce the upfront cost of new ultra low and zero emission vehicles
• grants to install chargepoints in homes, workplaces and on residential streets
• supporting charging infrastructure on the wider roads network
• providing innovation support to develop zero emission vehicle technology

Their priorities are to:

• ensure the UK remains one of the premier global markets for ultra low and zero emission vehicles
• develop and deliver initiatives to overcome barriers to uptake of ultra low and zero emission vehicles
• support innovation to put the UK at the forefront of the design, manufacture and use of zero emission vehicles