Zero emission vehicles Contents

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Summary

In November 2020, the Government published its Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, in which it committed to ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030. All new vehicles will be required to have ‘significant zero emission capability’ (including plug-in hybrids and full hybrids) from 2030 and be 100% zero emission from 2035. However, to ensure that the Government has set achievable targets, a clear policy framework is now required to ensure that industry can deliver the vehicles and charging infrastructure needed to meet the Government’s ambition.

Uptake of zero emission vehicles

• If the Government is to reach its 2030 and 2035 phase-out date targets, it will need to incentivise car manufacturers to sell an increasing number of zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) through a ZEV mandate. However, it must adopt a technology-neutral approach to the transition to ZEVs and explore the potential of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen or other alternatives to petrol and diesel, where possible.

Charging infrastructure

The Government must:

• support sub-national transport bodies and local authorities to deliver sufficient and well-maintained charging infrastructure solutions tailored to local needs;
• ring-fence a portion of the £90 million local charging scheme so local authorities can employ dedicated ‘charge point champions’ to deliver local charging infrastructure strategies;
• identify and address under-provision at locations outside the strategic road network, where grid connection costs and grid upgrades are expensive and the business case for investment is weak;
• amend the wayleave regime for installing charging infrastructure to ensure that that regime does not act as a barrier to roll-out;
• protect the consumer from excessive costs when charging in public; and
• address the discrepancy between the 5% VAT incurred for home charging and 20% VAT for on-street.

Managing energy demand and smart charging

• The Government must mandate that industry uses price as a lever to move consumer behaviour away from conventional refuelling habits towards ‘a little but often’ approach.