Recommendation 1

HM Government Acknowledged

1. PAC conclusion: The Departments for Transport and for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy have not yet published a clear plan for delivering the Government’s ambition for the expansion of zero-emission cars. 1: PAC recommendation: Departments for Transport and for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy should set out their plans for managing the complex transition to electric cars and ensure that progress can be monitored against it. They should then regularly report on progress being made towards the 2030 target to phase out new petrol and diesel cars and the associated impact on reducing carbon emissions. As well as tracking the take-up of these vehicles, the Departments should regularly report progress against a range of metrics covering, for example: • the relative affordability of zero-emission vehicles compared to their petrol or diesel equivalents (comparing upfront costs and then running costs); • the sales of ultra-low emission vehicles in the second-hand car market as a proportion of overall second-hand sales; • the accessibility of charging infrastructure in each region/local authority area; and, • the overall impact on carbon emissions from the UK car fleet. 1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 2 Target implementation date: Autumn 2021 1.2 The government recognises the complexity of the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and the importance of working with stakeholders to ensure that the ambitious 2030 and 2035 phase out dates are achieved. To support this collaboration, and to give greater clarity on the pathway to the phase out dates, The Department for Transport (DfT) published its 2035 Delivery Plan on 14 July 2021 setting out the major milestones towards the phase out dates and committed spending and regulatory measures. The DfT will monitor progress against the plan and report publicly on an annual basis. Further, the DfT will conduct a review of progress towards the phase out dates by 2025. 1.3 The DfT also intends to publish an EV infrastructure strategy in autumn 2021, setting out the vision and actions to support the charging infrastructure roll out needed to achieve the 2030 and 2035 goals successfully and accelerate the transition to a zero emission fleet. 1.4 Finally, the DfT published a Green Paper on 14 July 2021 setting out the post-EU regulatory regime for carbon dioxide emissions from new road vehicles, to ensure the phase out dates are met and support carbon reductions. This considers the overall fleet efficiency and delivery of the move to 100% zero emission vehicle (ZEV) sales for cars and vans.