Sustainability in the Department for Transport inquiry

Published 11 November 2016.

The government's response commits to setting out its transport carbon plans in a forthcoming emissions reduction plan, while agreeing on some points, such as the importance of fiscal measures and cross-departmental working, and giving a qualified position on others, including Volkswagen and Network Rail reporting.

• On ultra-low emission vehicles, the government states a goal that "all new cars and vans should be zero emission vehicles by 2040", and expects interim projections to be updated in its forthcoming emissions reduction plan. On light van licensing it "is considering the merits of reforms".
• It "agrees that fiscal measures are important" for the transition to cleaner vehicles, but gives no timetable. It says it "keeps all transport taxes under review" and the Chancellor announces any changes at fiscal events.
• On Volkswagen, it says it "has not ruled out opening our own investigation", and that the Competition and Markets Authority has informed it that it "will not be opening a formal investigation at this time". It says direct comparison of emissions without the cheat device is not possible.
• On Network Rail, it is discussing with Network Rail and Defra whether it should be covered by the Greening Government Commitments, and "aim[s] to make a decision on this by the end of 2016".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error