Select Committee · Transport Committee

Zero emission vehicles and road pricing

Status: Closed Opened: 18 Dec 2020 Closed: 14 Nov 2022 14 recommendations 4 conclusions 1 report

This inquiry will consider the implications of accelerating the shift to zero emission vehicles and the potential for introducing road pricing, or pay-as-you-drive, schemes. The Transport Committee was one of the six commissioning committees behind the first UK-wide Climate Assembly, which published its report in September 2020. The Assembly put the emphasis on moving to … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - Zero emission vehicles HC 27 28 Jul 2021 18 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

7 items
3 Conclusion First Report - Zero emission vehicles Accepted

A zero emission vehicle mandate would: • be revenue neutral; • provide certainty to allow...

A zero emission vehicle mandate would: • be revenue neutral; • provide certainty to allow manufacturers to invest in the UK and supply a sufficient volume of ZEVs to meet the UK’s decarbonisation commitments; • reduce costs for consumers by increasing the supply of electric vehicles; and • free taxpayers … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government partially accepts, agreeing a new regulatory framework is needed and stating its preferred option is deploying a Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate combined with CO2 regulation.
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Department for Transport
5 Recommendation First Report - Zero emission vehicles Accepted

The Government must define ‘significant zero emissions capability’ for the automotive manufacturing industry, while ensuring...

The Government must define ‘significant zero emissions capability’ for the automotive manufacturing industry, while ensuring that only the cleanest possible hybrid technology is available until 2035. It should also maintain a technology-neutral approach to the transition to ZEVs and explore the potential of alternative fuels, such as hydrogen or other … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation, stating it has consulted on defining ‘significant zero emissions capability’ and will respond shortly. It confirms a technology-neutral approach to ZEVs and outlines ongoing support for hydrogen transport and increased Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation targets.
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Department for Transport
6 Recommendation First Report - Zero emission vehicles Accepted

Drivers who do not have access to off-street parking and who live in rural or...

Drivers who do not have access to off-street parking and who live in rural or remote areas may struggle to charge their vehicles. To ensure that a comprehensive network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure is in place by 2030, sub-national transport bodies and local authorities will need to implement strategies … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to ensuring no areas are left behind in EV charging. The upcoming Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy will outline roles and responsibilities for stakeholders, including local authorities, to ensure local planning and deployment of chargepoints.
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Department for Transport
7 Recommendation First Report - Zero emission vehicles Accepted

As part of its electric vehicle charging infrastructure strategy, the Government must explain: a) how...

As part of its electric vehicle charging infrastructure strategy, the Government must explain: a) how it will support all regions and local authorities to deliver sufficient and well- maintained charging infrastructure solutions tailored to local needs, so that no area is left behind; and b) how it will ensure that … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government accepts, committing to ensure no areas are left behind. The upcoming Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy will outline stakeholder roles and responsibilities for local chargepoint planning and deployment, and they will monitor market activity, ready to intervene if needed to accelerate deployment.
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Department for Transport
13 Conclusion First Report - Zero emission vehicles Accepted

Charging an electric vehicle should be convenient, straightforward, and inexpensive.

Charging an electric vehicle should be convenient, straightforward, and inexpensive. To boost consumer confidence in the charging network, to maximise convenience and value for motorists and to facilitate connectivity, all charge points should Zero emission vehicles 35 be interoperable and provide a seamless experience for drivers. We welcome the Government’s … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government accepts, agreeing the public charging network should be seamless. They have proposed measures for app-free charging, pricing transparency, and easy chargepoint location, and will publish a consultation response in Autumn and lay legislation in early 2022.
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Department for Transport
14 Recommendation First Report - Zero emission vehicles Accepted

In the charging infrastructure strategy, the Government must explain how it will improve the consumer...

In the charging infrastructure strategy, the Government must explain how it will improve the consumer experience at public charge points and ensure that a) drivers can seamlessly access any charging network in any location at any time; and b) charge point operators are not disincentivised from investing in charging infrastructure. Read more

Government response AI summary
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to publishing its response to the Consumer Experience at Public Chargepoints consultation in Autumn and laying related legislation in early 2022. The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy will also set out expectations for chargepoint operators to incentivise investment.
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Department for Transport
17 Conclusion First Report - Zero emission vehicles Accepted

We welcome the Government’s commitment to mandate that all new private charge points should be...

We welcome the Government’s commitment to mandate that all new private charge points should be equipped with smart functionality and to introduce the relevant legislation later in 2021.

Government response AI summary
The government accepts and welcomes the committee's support, confirming it will bring forward legislation in Autumn 2021 to mandate smart functionality and default off-peak charging for all new home and workplace EV chargepoints in Great Britain.
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Department for Transport

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
23 Jun 2021 Rachel Maclean MP · Department for Transport, Richard Bruce · Department for Transport View ↗
9 Jun 2021 Andrew Hickford · Leeds City Council, Graeme Cooper · National Grid, Lucy Hayward-Speight · Transport for London, Mr Peter Molyneux · Transport for the North, Roger Hunter · Shell UK, Tanya Sinclair · Chargepoint View ↗
28 Apr 2021 Caterina Brandmayr · Green Alliance, Ed Birkett · Policy Exchange, Edward Leigh · Smarter Cambridge Transport, Mr Eamonn Ives · Centre for Policy Studies, Ms Claire Haigh · Greener Transport Solutions, Professor Philip Booth · Institute of Economic Affairs, Sarah Owen-Vandersluis · KPMG View ↗

Who gave evidence

15 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Andrew Hickford · Project Manager Leeds City Council 1
Caterina Brandmayr · Head of climate policy Green Alliance 1
Ed Birkett · Head of Energy and Environment Policy Exchange 1
Edward Leigh · Chair Smarter Cambridge Transport 1
Graeme Cooper · Head of Future Markets National Grid 1
Lucy Hayward-Speight · Transport Strategy & Planning Manager – Air Quali… Transport for London 1
Mr Eamonn Ives · Head of Energy and Environment Policy Centre for Policy Studies 1
Mr Peter Molyneux · Major Roads Director Transport for the North 1
Ms Claire Haigh · Founder and Chief Executive Officer Greener Transport Solutions 1
Professor Philip Booth · Senior Academic Fellow Institute of Economic Affairs 1
Rachel Maclean MP · Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Department for Transport 1
Richard Bruce · Job share, Director, Energy, Technology and Innov… Department for Transport 1
Roger Hunter · Vice President Electric Mobility Shell UK 1
Sarah Owen-Vandersluis · Head of Public Sector Mobility and Trade Lead Par… KPMG 1
Tanya Sinclair · Senior Policy Director for Europe Chargepoint 1

Correspondence

2 letters
DateDirectionTitle
13 Jul 2021 Correspondence from Rachel Maclean MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, …
13 Jul 2021 Correspondence from Rachel Maclean MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, …