Every new home in Britain to be wired for electric car revolution

LONDON - All new homes built in Britain will have charge points for electric vehicles under proposals outlined in a new strategy unveiled Monday by the Department for Transport (DfT).

Street lamps will also have built in power points where car batteries can be charged, said the DfT.

The department set out a new strategy outlining an ambition for at least 50 percent, and as many as 70 percent, of new car sales in Britain to be ultra low emission by 2030, alongside up to 40 percent of new vans.

The government says it will take steps to enable a massive roll-out of infrastructure to support the electric vehicle revolution

"The strategy sets the stage for the biggest technology advancement to hit UK roads since the invention of the combustion engine," said the DfT.

The proposals were outlined in the Road to Zero Strategy, which sets out plans to enable a massive expansion of green infrastructure across Britain, reduce emissions from the vehicles already on British roads, and drive the uptake of zero emission cars, vans and trucks.

"Together, the measures will put the UK at the forefront of a global revolution in motoring and help to deliver cleaner air, a better environment and a strong clean economy," the DfT said in a statement.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: "The coming decades are going to be transformative for our motor industry, our national infrastructure and the way we travel. We expect to see more change in the transport sector over the next 10 years than we have in the previous century."

Grayling said Britain's economy and society is expected to experience profound change, which is why the government has marked the Future of mobility as one of the four grand challenges as part of its modern Industrial Strategy.

"The Road to Zero Strategy sets out a clear path for Britain to be a world leader in the zero emission revolution - ensuring that the UK has cleaner air, a better environment and a stronger economy," added Grayling.

The government's mission, as part of Britain's modern Industrial Strategy, is to put the country at the forefront of an industry that is estimated to be worth around $10 trillion every year by 2050.