Recommendations & Conclusions
20 items
1
Conclusion
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Acknowledged
It is our view that the case for full electrification in private cars is ‘the received wisdom’, and therefore needs further scrutiny and investigation.
Government response. The government acknowledges the limitations of synthetic fuels and states that low carbon fuels have a role in sectors where there are limited alternatives to liquid or gaseous fuels, such as aviation and maritime, and niche applications such as classic …
Department for Transport
2
Conclusion
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Acknowledged
Given the existing private cars that will remain on the road for some time, drop- in replacement fuels from renewable sources could be a no-risk, very sensible and economically sound approach.
Government response. The government recognises the merit in encouraging drop-in sustainable fuels and decarbonising vehicles on the road, highlighting the RTFO scheme. They also note limitations, like the expense and energy intensity of synthetic fuels, and air quality concerns.
Department for Transport
3
Conclusion
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Rejected
While maintaining an official line on technology neutrality with respect to achieving zero emissions in private cars, the Government is in fact ‘putting all its eggs in one basket’: battery EVs. The reality is that not everyone in the UK can afford a new or second-hand electric vehicle, and if …
Government response. The government disagrees with the recommendation, arguing that they are committed to making the transition to ZEVs affordable, the Plug in Car Grant supported early market growth, and the price of EVs continues to fall.
Department for Transport
4
Recommendation
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Not Addressed
We reiterate the message of our July 2021 report on zero emission vehicles that Government needs to take account of legacy petrol and diesel-powered motoring and continue to explore the potential of alternative fuels where possible. This includes the huge potential for sustainable fuels to provide a low-carbon option for …
Government response. The government discusses investing in EV technology and infrastructure while arguing that plug-in hybrids carry significant risks and would not deliver the necessary reductions in resources or support the achievement of climate change targets, but does not address the need …
Department for Transport
5
Recommendation
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Accepted in Part
Furthermore, while long-haul aviation and international shipping are often identified as the most likely users of sustainable fuels, we believe that the Government must open-mindedly consider all alternative fuels for all modes of powered transport, including private cars.
Government response. The government recognizes the merit in encouraging the deployment of drop-in sustainable fuels. However they state there are limitations to this and see low carbon fuels in the longer term as having an increasingly important role in the decarbonisation of …
Department for Transport
6
Conclusion
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Not Addressed
All the propulsion alternatives have a significant role to play so the Government needs to stop demonising specific technologies that could really help. Addressing the existing fleet will be decisive in achieving the UK’s climate goals. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions right now by the use of increasing quantities of drop- …
Government response. The government discusses battery development, the Faraday Battery Challenge, and the lifecycle analysis of GHG emissions from different types of vehicles, but does not address the committee's concern about demonising specific technologies or the need for a mechanism to enable …
Department for Transport
7
Recommendation
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Rejected
The continued focus on battery electric vehicles alone risks failing to meet the UK’s climate goals. Demand for more and more range from electric vehicles makes them very heavy and very expensive, tying up precious resources in an energy store that might rarely be used. Distributing those resources across more …
Government response. The government disagrees with the recommendation to focus on plug-in hybrid vehicles instead of battery electric vehicles, arguing that EVs are crucial for meeting net zero targets and have significantly lower GHG emissions. They are investing in battery technology and …
Department for Transport
8
Recommendation
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Rejected
The ideal solution may be to allow automotive companies to fix the problem and provide the solution by applying the right mix of technologies. Plugin hybrids (petrol and diesel) offer the best options when in urban areas they can make a switch to electric propulsion on entry (such as at …
Government response. The government disagrees with the recommendation to allow automotive companies to apply the right mix of technologies, including plug-in hybrids, to fix the problem and provide a solution, stating that it is committed to decarbonising transport and transitioning to vehicles …
Department for Transport
9
Recommendation
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Accepted
We recommended in our July 2021 report on zero emission vehicles that some of the £950 million rapid charging fund be used to provide fully future-proofed grid capacity, and that the Government work with National Grid to map the electricity network to assess potential weak areas. In October 2021 a …
Government response. The government accepts the recommendation, highlighting the Rapid Charging Fund (RCF) for grid upgrades, the role of electricity network operators in managing EV demand, and Ofgem's £22.2 billion upfront funding for networks including £3.1 billion for EV readiness.
Department for Transport
10
Recommendation
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Rejected
We believe there is a case for many people right across the country in all areas, but particularly in rural and isolated communities, to continue to drive wholly diesel or petrol-powered cars, or hybrids (or EVs if they wish). Over time they will very likely account for a negligible proportion …
Government response. The government disagrees with the recommendation to allow continued use of petrol/diesel cars, stating their commitment to decarbonising transport with zero-emission vehicles. They cite analysis showing EVs will have significantly lower lifecycle emissions by 2050.
Department for Transport
11
Recommendation
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Acknowledged
We recommend that the Government publish its future of rural transport strategy as a matter of priority. The strategy should include the Government’s plan to ensure people living in rural areas have adequate access to charging infrastructure.
Government response. The government agrees with the recommendation to publish its future of rural transport strategy as a matter of priority and highlights its existing EV Infrastructure Strategy and related policies, but makes no specific commitment to a timeline or content for …
Department for Transport
12
Recommendation
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Accepted
The Government should examine the roll-out of public charging networks in other European countries and in Scotland, to see how best to harness government expenditure on chargepoints—particularly in rural and more economically marginal locations—to help increase the pace of the rollout and increase coverage and EV-to- charger ratios. (Paragraph 66) …
Government response. The government agrees to examine the roll-out of public charging networks in other countries, citing its EV Infrastructure Strategy and ongoing efforts to increase public chargepoints and support local authorities in developing chargepoint strategies.
Department for Transport
13
Recommendation
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Deferred
There is not yet a solution for the decarbonisation of HGVs in heavier weight categories that travel long distances. We recommend that the Government publish a long-term HGV decarbonisation strategy as a matter of priority. (Paragraph 73) Maritime
Government response. The government describes actions it is taking to support sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) but defers addressing the HGV decarbonisation strategy by referencing a call for evidence planned for later this year.
Department for Transport
14
Conclusion
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Accepted
The UK Government should support the International Maritime Organization’s work to develop global standards for vessel construction that enable ships to utilise alternative fuels such as ammonia, synthetic fuels and hydrogen. The UK should use its influence at the IMO to ensure that, globally, the path forward for investors in …
Government response. The government agrees and supports the IMO's work to develop global standards for vessel construction that enable the use of alternative fuels, including active engagement in developing guidelines for hydrogen and ammonia.
Department for Transport
15
Recommendation
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Deferred
There is significant demand and potential for sustainable aviation fuels in the aviation sector: they are the most plausible option for significant decarbonisation of aviation in the short and medium terms. We welcome the SAF mandate in the Jet Zero strategy, but consider that further measures are needed to stimulate …
Government response. The government acknowledges the potential of Contracts for Difference but is still considering options for additional revenue certainty for a UK SAF industry via an industry funded intervention, with a formal consultation planned for this summer if required.
Department for Transport
16
Recommendation
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Not Addressed
Freight transport and high-speed rail are the most significant decarbonisation challenges in the rail sector. To meet its objective to phase out all diesel-powered trains by 2040, the Government must increase the current pace of electrification set out in Network Rail’s traction decarbonisation plan. The lifespan of rolling stock alone …
Government response. The government thanks the Committee for their ongoing scrutiny and recommendations but does not address the specific recommendation about increasing the pace of electrification.
Department for Transport
17
Recommendation
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Accepted in Part
As stated in our ‘Trains fit for the future?’ report, we recommend that the Department for Transport publish a long-term strategy for decarbonising the rail network as a matter of priority. This should include a vision for what proportion of the future network will use electrification, battery and hydrogen. That …
Government response. The government partially agrees, committing to a net zero rail network by 2050 and removing all diesel-only trains by 2040, and will take account of Network Rail’s strategy. Costed options will be considered before a plan is developed, recognising electrification's …
Department for Transport
18
Recommendation
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Acknowledged
The Government may not always be able to adhere to its technology agnostic policy as it seeks to achieve the target of net zero emissions by 2050. If that aspiration is to be fulfilled, it must introduce policies that enable a functioning market which encourages alternative fuel uptake. That will …
Government response. The government acknowledges the impact of uncertainty, but believes its technology-neutral approach is the most credible path to net zero, committing to reviewing its strategy and funding research programs. They are publishing a Low Carbon Fuels Strategy.
Department for Transport
19
Conclusion
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Acknowledged
The technology agnostic approach has led to a lack of investment in alternative decarbonisation technologies by the private sector. A more nuanced approach to increasing the uptake of alternative fuels is required.
Government response. The government acknowledges the impact of uncertainty on its strategy given its reliance on long-term projections and uncertainty about future technological advances in some sectors. It is funding research programmes, and will publish a Low Carbon Fuels Strategy which will …
Department for Transport
20
Recommendation
Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot…
Acknowledged
The Government must shift its ‘technology agnostic’ policy to a ‘targeted technology investment’ policy. Such a policy will provide the Government with the flexibility to make strategic investments in new technologies that offer evidenced solutions to lowering emissions, while allowing the Government to maintain a level of neutrality on the …
Government response. The government acknowledges the impact of uncertainty on its strategy given its reliance on long-term projections and uncertainty about future technological advances in some sectors. It is funding research programmes, and will publish a Low Carbon Fuels Strategy which will …
Department for Transport