November 27, 2020
Abby Nuttall
Articles
Last week Boris Johnson unveiled a 10 point plan for a green industrial revolution to ensure the UK reaches their zero net carbon emissions target by 2050.
The 10 points are:
1. Advancing offshore winds
2. Driving growth of low carbon hydrogen
3. Delivering new and advance nuclear power
4. Accelerating shift to zero emission vehicles
5. Green public transport, cycling and walking
6. Jet zero and green ships
7. Greener buildings
8. Investing in carbon capture, usage and storage
9. Protecting our natural environment
10. Green finance and Innovation
You can see the full report here but we’ve taken a look at the key points relating to vehicles for you.
Back in February the Prime Minister said that the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars would be moved forward to 2035 along with introducing a previously unknown ban on the sale of hybrid vehicles for the same year. However, he’s now moving this forward again for traditional combustion engine vehicles, with the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles being banned from 2030 as part of the plan to accelerate the shift to zero emission vehicles. However, they confirmed that new plug-in and full hybrids will still be sold until 2035.
The government said that they would work with the industry to ensure this transition is as smooth as possible for the industry and customers.
They’ve also advised that they need to ensure that the tax system continues to encourage drivers looking at new cars to opt for an electric or hybrid option instead of a traditional combustion engine, and that the revenue from motoring taxes keeps pace with the changes in the market so they can continue to fund the infrastructure needed.
In the publication, they confirmed their commitment of up to £1 billion for the electrification of UK vehicles and their supply factories, including developing factories in the UK to produce the batteries required by an electric vehicle. Not only will this help develop the UK’s electric infrastructure but a single factory could employ up to 2,000 people.
As well as this they are investing £500 million into the electrification of the UK’s existing automotive industry to help protect the car plants already in the UK and workers in the West Midlands, the North and Wales.
Charger availability is a concern for many drivers looking to make the jump to electric, especially if they are not homeowners with off road parking where they can install a home charging unit. The government have acknowledged this worry and are investing £1.3 billion to accelerate the growth of the UK’s charging infrastructure. In the report, they advise this will be geared towards rapid charging points on the motorway and major roads for drivers doing long journeys and on-street parking units near homes and workplaces to make charging as convenient as possible.
Another way they’re looking to encourage drivers to make the switch is by providing £528 million to extend the plug-in car, van, taxi and motorcycle grants into 2022-23. This will help lower the purchase price or monthly lease cost for drivers.
They have also advised that they will publish a Green Paper next year that will cover the UK’s post-EU emission regulation and the targets for UK vehicles.