Action plan needed for petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles ban

Representing local Government and business leaders, Transport for the South East has called for the creation of a task force from across Government, the automotive industry and consumer groups to oversee the development and implementation of an action plan to ensure the agreed target of banning petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles is both realistic and achievable.

It has also put forward a series of measures to enable the UK to successfully meet the target, including:

• Financial incentives to encourage people and businesses to make the switch to electric vehicles, including changes to vehicle excise duty
• Research and development grants to help the car industry shift production to zero emission vehicles
• Improved charging infrastructure for electric car users and further funding for research into the establishment of a hydrogen distribution network
• Government to lead by example, ensuring zero-emission fleets across central and local Government well before the proposed end date to help drive demand
• Clear, consistent and effective advice for consumers on fuel and technology choices
• Continued research into smart charging to lessen the potential burden of electric vehicles on the national electricity grid and ensure the UK electricity system is not a blocker to rapid take-up of electric vehicles
• Support the roll-out of electric vehicles through the planning system, with electric charging points in all new housing development, new streetlights and off-street parking facilities.

Keith Glazier, Chair of Transport for the South East, said: “Ending the sale of petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans will be a critical point on the UK’s journey to a zero emissions future, but agreeing a date is not enough.

“Whether the target is 2040, 2035 or sooner, it must be accompanied by a clear and costed action plan setting out how we are going to reach this critical milestone. Without it, there is a significant risk that the target could be missed.”

Transport for the South East has also called for a package of financial support to help lower income households make the switch to electric vehicles.

Glazier continued: “Electric vehicles are cheaper to run but more expensive to buy. Without the right financial support, people from lower income households will bear the brunt of higher fuel, maintenance and repair costs that come with owning older conventional vehicles.”