Plans outlined on 30 July as part of two Government documents offer a glimpse into how technology could transform transport, making it safer, more accessible and ‘greener’; they also suggest that “a wave of electric cargo bikes, vans, quadricycles and micro vehicles could replace vans in UK cities, as part of plans to transform ‘last mile’ deliveries, vastly reducing emissions and congestion around the country”.

The documents say there are already 300,000 HGVs and over 4 million vans on our roads; and with on-line sales continuing to grow, these numbers are likely to increase, although new ‘green’ delivery vehicles could replace the millions of conventionally fuelled vans that are currently a common sight in city centres.

The Government ‘call for evidence’ documents — Last Mile and Future of Mobility — are the prelude to the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge, which aims to make the UK the world leader in the movement of goods, services and people.

As part of this, the Government has confirmed £12.1 million of funding for six projects working on simulation and modelling to further the development of ‘connected and autonomous vehicles’.

Transport Minister Jesse Norman said: “The UK has a long and proud history of leading the world in transport innovation, and our Future of Mobility Grand Challenge is designed to ensure that this continues.

“We are on the cusp of an exciting and profound change in how people, goods and services move around the country.

“This could bring significant benefits to people right across the country and presents enormous economic opportunities for the UK, with autonomous-vehicle sales set to be worth up to £52 billion by 2035.

Our Last Mile and Future of Mobility ‘call for evidence’ documents mark just one stage in our push to make the most of these opportunities.

"The way people travel is already being affected by societal changes, such as: people driving less overall; fewer workers commuting; a growing elderly population; and the number of people living in urban areas growing.”

Ian Robertson, former board member at BMW, has been appointed as Business Champion to help advise, shape and develop the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge.

He said: “A transport revolution in the way people and goods move around will see more changes in the next 10 years than the previous 100.

"As the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge Business Champion, I’m looking forward to working with the Government to help the UK build on its existing strengths and capitalise on that opportunity.”