Government responds to EAC criticism of UK rate of ULEV uptake
Fri 11 November 2016
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The UK Government said it will introduce measures to further encourage the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) in its response to the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) report published in September which suggested the UK is falling behind targets to switch Britain’s car fleet to electric vehicles.
According to the guideline target recommended by the Government’s Committee on Climate Change, ultra-low emission vehicles such as electric cars should make up 9% of the fleet by 2020. However, current forecasts from the Department for Transport show the figure by the end of the decade is likely to achieve about half the target level.
Following publication of the RAC Report on Motoring 2016, the RAC and the Institute of Motoring also called for bolder action from government in incentivising clean vehicles The annual survey of motorists showed that an increasing number are concerned about emissions with 55% supportive of both charges for the dirtiest vehicles entering polluted areas and outright bans on vehicles entering the most polluted areas.
In its response the Government said it is committed to ensuring that the transport sector has an integral role in meeting objectives and that it has already begun planning beyond 2025. The Government points out that it has already set the Fifth Carbon Budget which limits emissions to an annual average reduction of 57% over 2028-2032 (from 1990 levels).
EAC chair, Mary Creagh MP commented: “Transport is now the highest emitting sector of our economy and the Government is set to miss its climate change targets for the sector. That’s unacceptable. To meet our decarbonisation targets and keep air pollution within legal limits, the Government needs a new strategy to increase the uptake of cleaner vehicles, such as electric cars. We look forward to seeing it.”
In last week's Autumn Statement, the Chancellor Philip Hammond announced £375 million in additional support over five years to accelerate the ULEV transition. (See related story.)
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