Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Accepted
Paragraph: 19
Risky strategy accommodating road demand without managing it, hindering transport decarbonisation
Conclusion
Transport remains the biggest greenhouse gas contributor in the UK and the Government’s strategy for decarbonising transport by 2050 is reliant on a rapid switch to zero emissions vehicles. However, in all future scenarios modelled by the Department for Transport, traffic on the Strategic Road Network is forecast to increase, and there is a great risk that uptake of cleaner vehicles will not be fast enough to mitigate that increase. The Government’s determination to accommodate demand for new roads through investment without also considering steps to manage that demand is a risky strategy.
Government Response Summary
The government partially agreed, outlining its credible strategies for the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including a planned zero emission HGV infrastructure strategy for 2024, and work on hydrogen refuelling stations, but did not explicitly address managing demand for new roads.
Paragraph Reference:
19
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The Government partially agrees with this recommendation. The Government has already set out a credible strategy for the rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including for the SRN, with the publication last year of the UK’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Strategy4. Building on this, a zero emission Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) infrastructure strategy is planned for publication in 2024. More detail is set out below. As noted by the Committee, the Government is already supporting motorway services area (MSA) operators and the private sector to deliver ultra-rapid, open access charge points at every MSA in England. Around 96% of MSA sites in England have charging available with 31%of sites having ultra-rapid charging. The Government recognises the continued roll-out of charging infrastructure across the SRN will rely on the expansion of the electricity system. The Green Recovery Scheme, a £300m investment programme administered by Ofgem, is already upgrading electricity network infrastructure to support the further installation of ultra-rapid charging at MSAs. In addition, the Government’s Rapid Charging Fund (RCF) will fund a portion of the cost of upgrading the electricity grid at strategic locations where it is currently not commercially viable to do so, supporting stakeholders such as the MSA operators prepare for a zero-emission car and van fleet. The Government continues to review the inclusion of heavy goods vehicles within the scope of the RCF. 2 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/carbon-budget-delivery-plan 3 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transport-decarbonisation-plan 4 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-electric-vehicle-infrastructure-strategy The Government is developing a zero emission HGV infrastructure strategy which will set strategic direction and outline the respective roles and responsibilities of both the Government and industry to ensure the delivery of HGV refuelling and recharging infrastructure. This is expected to be published in 2024. The Government continues to work collaboratively with National Highways to include provision for alternative fuelling technologies such as hydrogen. There are eight publicly accessible hydrogen refuelling stations in the UK, and the Government has recently announced that Tees Valley Hydrogen Transport Hub will fund four more stations.