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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 …

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

4 items
3 Conclusion Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot… Rejected

While maintaining an official line on technology neutrality with respect to achieving zero emissions in...

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
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...

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 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
10 Recommendation Third Report - Fuelling the future: mot… Rejected

We believe there is a case for many people right across the country in all...

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

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 ↗

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…