LONDON, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Britain announced a program, backed by major vehicle manufacturers, with a goal of making the country a world leader in electric cars.
The government said companies including BMW, Nissan and Toyota are standing behind what's dubbed the Go Ultra Low campaign to encourage more British consumers to switch to electric or hybrid vehicles.
"Electric cars are one of the most promising of our green industries and we want to secure the U.K.'s position as a global leader in both the production and adoption of these vehicles," Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said in a statement Thursday.
Clegg said $14.8 million in funding would be used to build more charging stations across the country, including 140 that can charge an electric car in less than 30 minutes.
British Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said the program is about "opening people's eyes" to low-emission vehicles.
The British government said there are now more than 6,000 charging stations across the country.
