Home / Sources / Select Committees / Transport Committee / Fuelling the future: motive power and c…
Index live
Select Committee · Transport Committee

Fuelling the future: motive power and connectivity

Status: Closed Opened: 13 Dec 2021 Closed: 15 Jun 2023 14 recommendations 6 conclusions 1 report

The Committee is examining how Government fuel policy will affect connectivity, capacity and sustainability across all transport modes, including motor vehicles, maritime, rail and aviation, up to 2050. We are particularly interested in receiving written evidence that addresses: The effect of Government fuel policy on future road, rail, air and maritime connectivity; Whether and how … Show more

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - Fuelling the future: motive power and connec… HC 159 2 Mar 2023 20 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
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...

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 … Read more

Government response AI summary
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 for direction and guidance for …
Read full response →
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...

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- … Read more

Government response AI summary
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 carbon savings associated with sustainable …
Read full response →
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.

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 … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government thanks the Committee for their ongoing scrutiny and recommendations but does not address the specific recommendation about increasing the pace of electrification.
Read full response →
Department for Transport

Oral evidence sessions

3 sessions
Date Witnesses
16 Mar 2022 Caroline Low CBE · Department for Transport, Trudy Harrison MP · Department for Transport View ↗
2 Mar 2022 Anna Ziou · UK Chamber of Shipping, Greg Archer · Electromobility UK, Guy Lachlan · Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance, Helen Simpson · Porterbrook, James McMicking · ZeroAvia, Maggie Simpson OBE · Rail Freight Group, Rhona Macdonald · British Ports Association, Rob Bishton · Civil Aviation Authority View ↗
9 Feb 2022 Dr Andy Roberts · UK Petroleum Industries Association, Dr Neville Hargreaves · Velocys, Dr Nina Skorupska CBE · The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology, Ed Birkett · Policy Exchange, Louise Kingham, Paddy Lowe · Zero Petroleum View ↗

Who gave evidence

16 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Anna Ziou · Policy Director UK Chamber of Shipping 1
Caroline Low CBE · Director, Energy, Technology and Innovation Department for Transport 1
Dr Andy Roberts · Director of Downstream Policy UK Petroleum Industries Association 1
Dr Neville Hargreaves · Vice President, Waste to Fuels Velocys 1
Dr Nina Skorupska CBE · Chief Executive The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology 1
Ed Birkett · Head of Energy and Environment Policy Exchange 1
Greg Archer · Member Electromobility UK 1
Guy Lachlan · Director Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance 1
Helen Simpson · Innovation and Projects Director Porterbrook 1
James McMicking · Vice-President, Strategy ZeroAvia 1
Louise Kingham — 1
Maggie Simpson OBE · Director General Rail Freight Group 1
Paddy Lowe · Founder and CEO Zero Petroleum 1
Rhona Macdonald · Sustainability Advisor British Ports Association 1
Rob Bishton · Joint Chief Executive Civil Aviation Authority 1
Trudy Harrison MP · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department for Transport 1

Correspondence

4 letters
DateDirectionTitle
5 Jul 2023 — Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Transport, relating to publicati…
15 Jun 2023 — Correspondence from the Chair to the Secretary of State for Transport, relating…
27 Apr 2022 — Correspondence from Trudy Harrison MP, Minister of State, Department for Transp…
16 Mar 2022 — Correspondence from Rob Bishton, Group Director, Safety and Airspace Regulation…