LIVERPOOL City Council is to share £20m in government fund-ing to buy and run up to 20 electric vans in a bid to kick-start the market for environ-mentally-friendly vehicles.

Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon announced yesterday that the city was among four local authorities to share the cash.

And £10m will fund up to 100 new electric cars which will be trialled by families around the UK.

The sums are part of a £100m programme over five years to encourage greener motoring in a move that could create up to 10,000 British jobs.

It follows Liverpool’s move earlier this year to replace its Jaguar cars for the Lord Mayor with two hybrid Lexus models.

It is hoped that the new vans, between 15 and 20, will be on Liverpool’s streets by September next year.

Among the companies short-listed to bid to supply the vans are Ford, Land Rover and Nissan.

Liverpool’s environment leader Cllr Berni Turner said: “When we heard about the green vehicle proposals we immediately declared an inter-est, and I’m delighted we’re one of the first authorities to be able to implement the initiative.

“Already this year we have invested in two hybrid cars used by the Lord Mayor, so introduc-ing a fleet of low carbon vehicles makes sense.

“Next year is Liverpool’s Year of the Environment which isn’t just about the city council ask-ing residents to become more environmentally friendly, it’s also about us as an organisation leading by example and having a fleet of electric cars is a perfect way of achieving that.”

Mr Hoon said if the scheme could help inspire more people to use low-carbon vehicles, like plug-in hybrids, it would help make a positive impact on climate change.

“Alongside this, their research and manufacture is an emerging industry with the potential to create new jobs and safeguard existing employment in the UK.

“Therefore, exploring how to ensure they are a practical and affordable everyday option makes sense all round.”

davidbartlett