Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has laid out plans to maximise the “opportunities and benefits” from emerging transport technologies.

The UK Government said it will attempt to build a framework to “drive innovation, keep people safe and harness the benefits of new technologies,” across Britain.

Among the considered proposals are plans for a robust and expansive charge point network to facilitate a mass switch to electric vehicles and supporting plans to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.

The proposals would support more charge points along motorways, streets, and popular destinations to make them more accessible, as well as helping to ensure they are inclusively designed for ease of use.

Scotland is making gains in the expansion of its EV charging network, as well as making strides in innovation with the recent, first of its kind, slim charging pad project in Edinburgh. The tech involves cars parking over electric pads which can charge electric vehicles in under an hour with no need to plug in.

An Edinburgh-based ethical fintech also announced the launch of a new electric car leasing scheme to boost uptake and looking to make EV usage affordable for road users.

As part of the new government plans, Shapps said the UK will also be able to implement tougher environmental standards for new vehicles and “capture the benefits” of transport innovation and tech development.

The government is set to bring forward final proposals on the Future of Transport, addressing the “systemic changes in transport” being facilitated by electrification, automation, and new digital and data-driven ways of doing business.

Commenting on the news, Shapps said: “This is a hugely exciting time for transport in the UK. On our roads EVs are set to become the norm within the decade, on our seas autonomous and remotely operated vessels will increase efficiency and improve safety, and in our skies drones and novel aircraft will transform the way people and goods move around.

“Supporting these innovations will not only ensure high standards for consumers but also create a research-friendly environment so we can continue being world leaders in transport.

“We will create a safer, greener transport system that attracts investment and supports skilled jobs across the country.”

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The UK Government also said it hopes to create a comprehensive regulatory framework for the maritime industry to ensure that autonomous and remotely operated vessels can be operated safely in UK waters.

Additionally, the consultation will look at how a flexible legislative and regulatory framework could bring new aviation technology to market in a safe, secure, and sustainable way.

It is hoped that this will create new opportunities in aviation, such as supporting the routine use of drones for deliveries, which will improve accessibility to rural communities, surveying, data collection and search-and-rescue missions.

Research suggests that the drone economy alone could be worth up to £42 billion to the UK by 2030.

In Scotland, drone technology was used during the pandemic to aid people living on islands off the mainland. In May last year, a trial sought to deliver medical equipment including face masks and Covid-19 testing kits between the Lorn and Islands Hospital in Oban and the Mull and Iona Community Hospital at Craigmure on the Isle of Mull.