Recommendation 2

There are a wide range of consumer-facing issues that still need to be addressed to increase the uptake of zero-emission cars. Consumers are not all yet convinced that zero-emission cars are a suitable alternative to petrol and diesel models, with concerns over the affordability of these vehicles, the distance they can travel on a single charge and the availability and accessibility of charge-points when and where required. The Department for Transport claims that the price gap between ultra- low emission and petrol and diesel cars is rapidly closing and highlights that the running cost of an electric car is lower than that of a petrol or diesel equivalent. However, we are not persuaded that the upfront costs are low enough for many, particularly if, as the Department states, only 13 electric car models cost less than £30,000. There are also other price differentials that need to be addressed, such as the big difference in the cost of charging on the public network compared to charging on a driveway at home and the costs of replacing electric car batteries. The Departments have deliberately sought to make interventions on a UK-wide basis, but take-up has been greatest where there are high levels of traffic, charge-points and affluence. There is a risk that some regions get left behind during this transition, including those in rural areas. 6 Low emission cars Recommendation: The Departments for Transport and for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy need to have a sufficient understanding of how changes to the vehicle market are impacting, and going to impact, different types of consumers in different parts of the country. Their plan for expanding the number of zero- emission cars on our roads needs to clearly set out how they propose to tackle emerging consumer issues.