UK Prime Minister Theresa May has announced a £106 million funding package for technology research looking at innovative green battery, zero emission vehicle and refuelling technology.

Mrs May was speaking at the Zero Emission Vehicle Summit in Birmingham, where she said the aim of the money is to make the UK a world leader in low emission technology.

She said: “I want to see Britain, once again, leading from the front and working with industries and countries around the world to spearhead change.

“That is why I have set this country an ambitious mission. To put the UK at the forefront of the design and manufacturing of zero-emission vehicles, and for all new cars and vans to be, effectively, zero-emission by 2040.

“Already, we are taking significant strides forward. Our electric UK-manufactured cars account for one-in-five sold in Europe. Our batteries are among the best in the world.

“And our Road to Zero Strategy is the most comprehensive plan globally – mapping out, in detail, how we will reach our target for all new cars and vans to be, effectively, zero-emission by 2040 – and for every car and van to be zero-emission by 2050.

“Today we have provided over £100 million of funding for innovators in ultra-low emission vehicles and hydrogen technology. With a further £500 million of investment from key industries in this sector.”

The zero emission vehicle work is part of the government’s Future of Mobility Grand Challenge, outlined in its modern Industrial Strategy.