Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 7
7
We were interested in hearing the Departments view on what barriers needed to be overcome...
Conclusion
We were interested in hearing the Departments view on what barriers needed to be overcome to achieve the targets for zero-emission cars. The Department for Transport told us it had undertaken a lot of research into this area, and the two most substantial factors had been price and range anxiety—the range cars can travel without recharging. Other barriers also exist, such as the appeal and acceptance of electric cars for consumers.11 The Department said it has used the Go Ultra Low publicity campaign to understand and assess what factors are influencing people’s choices towards ultra-low emission cars.12
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
2.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2021. 2.2 The government wants consumers and businesses across the UK to benefit from the transition to ZEVs. The 2035 Delivery Plan set out key commitments, funding and milestones to help achieve the transition, and the EV infrastructure strategy (autumn 2021) will set out the vision and action plan for charging infrastructure roll out. The government is already taking steps to tackle consumer issues, including: 2.3 Affordability: The government’s plug in vehicle grants provide money off the up-front purchase price for people making the switch to EVs. Tax incentives are also available, including favourable company car tax rates, which can save drivers over £2,000 a year. The government is also supporting the second hand EV market, through support for charging infrastructure and zero vehicle excise duty for ZEVs. 2.4 Charging provision: The DfT is investing £1.3 billion in accelerating the roll out of charging infrastructure over the next four years, targeting support on rapid chargepoints on motorways and major roads, and supporting the installation of more on-street chargepoints near homes and workplaces. 2.5 Consumer experience of public charging: The DfT has consulted on using powers under the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act 2018 to make it easy to pay to charge a vehicle, ensure reliability and make chargepoint data freely available, helping drivers easily locate and access available charge points. The DfT plans to regulate later in 2021. 3 2.6 The government will continue to work closely with a range of bodies representing consumers and will continue to monitor consumer issues and needs as we move from early to mass market. Departments will continue to make the case for government intervention as necessary at the forthcoming 2021 Spending Review.