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Setting the pace for greener transport

3 Nov 2021
  • Setting the pace for greener transport

The UK Government has announced plans for its Net Zero Strategy, dubbed ‘Build Back Greener’.  

Presented by the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, the strategy sets out policies and proposals for decarbonising all sectors of the UK economy in order to meet our country’s net zero target by 2050.

Inspiring change at COP26 (the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties) in Glasgow this month, the UK aims to lead the world in ending our contribution to climate change.

Key commitments in the automotive sector

As part of the country’s key commitments, the automotive industry has been thrown under the spotlight in a bid to set the pace for greener, better transport in the UK.

Zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) are leading the way in efforts to decarbonise transport. As we 

know, strong progress is already being made by manufacturers in a bid to reach the 2030 phase out commitments of petrol and diesel-fuelled vehicles. 

In a document published on the official UK government website - GOV.UK - Net Zero Strategy plans are clearly laid out within a chapter regarding emission reduction across the economy.

Shaking up the sector to meet a series of EV targets, these are the pledges you’ll need to know about:

  • The sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be banned from 2030.
  • From 2035, all new cars and vans must have zero tailpipe emissions. 
  • Manufacturers will be set zero emission targets for new cars and vans from 2024.
  • The sale of new vehicles, such as motorcycles, buses and HGVs will be banned by 2040, subject to consultation. 
  • Plans are being rolled out to ensure the UK’s charging infrastructure network is reliable enough to facilitate an increased percentage of electric vehicles. 
  • An additional £620 million has been allocated to support the transition to electric vehicles across the country. The funding will support the rollout of EV infrastructure, including; local on-street residential charging facilities and plug-in vehicle grants for consumers.

Making EV progress for a brighter future of travel

As reported in the Government’s Net Zero Strategy, there are over 600,000 plug-in vehicles on UK roads (from figures in October 2021). More than one in five new cars sold in September 2021 had plug-in charging capabilities. This is an incredible increase in the shift to EV, no doubt further prompted by the September 2021 fuel crisis.

In the proposal, a ‘Transport Decarbonisation Plan’ sets out further details for a brighter future of travel. It expresses that the current EV technology developed for cars and vans will be adapted to all road transport. This includes; motorcycles, buses, coaches and HGVs amongst other modes of traditional engine-based transportation. 

It’s also been promised that zero emission vehicles will become even cleaner, as the UK’s electricity mix continues to increase. To view the Net Zero Strategy in its entirety, please click here.