Select committee: Transport Committee

Conclusion 14

Third Report - Fuelling the future: motive power and connectivity Published 2 Mar 2023 Paragraph 91 Addressed to Department for Transport
Conclusion (the committee's words)
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 alternative maritime fuels becomes more secure.

From: Transport Committee, Third Report - Fuelling the future: motive power and connectivity (HC 159), paragraph 91, 2 March 2023

Government response

The government responded to the whole report on 15 June 2023 (deadline 2 May 2023).

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government accepts or agrees with some recommendations on charging infrastructure, HGVs, maritime and rural transport, but disagrees with those favouring plug-in hybrids, sustained non-electric cars and a broader technology approach, saying the end goal "must be zero exhaust emissions".

  • On electrification and plug-in hybrids, the government "disagrees with this recommendation", saying ZEVs are crucial to net zero and research shows EVs lower lifecycle emissions compared with plug-in hybrids.
  • On sustainable fuels, it "recognises the merit" in drop-in fuels but does not agree the legislative framework is misleading; it will set out a low carbon fuels strategy "later this year".
  • It agrees to publish its Future of Transport Rural Strategy and "will look to do so in the coming months", and agrees to publish a long-term HGV decarbonisation strategy.
  • On rail, it "partially agrees": Great British Railways Transition Team will bring forward costed options for consideration "before any plan can be developed".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error