Recommendation 3

We are not convinced that the Government is paying sufficient attention to the practical challenges consumers can face in adopting low carbon technologies and how to overcome them. The Government selected the technology areas included in the Innovation Framework based on the opportunity to deliver major decarbonisation gains, the potential for major business opportunities for UK companies and the desire to create options for how to reach net zero. However, we are concerned that technology development may take priority without giving sufficient attention to the practical challenges consumers might face. DESNZ says it sought to maximise opportunities for consumers to take part in technology development. However, it is not clear that government is giving timely consideration to how the take-up of new technologies is best supported. The challenges can be significant, for example, ensuring an adequate charging network to support the projected rapid expansion in the use of electric cars. The Government also has no research programme focusing on the behavioural change that will be needed to complement the deployment of technologies included in the net zero innovation delivery plan. Recommendation 3: When it next reviews progress against the innovation priorities, DESNZ, working with other government departments, should commit to assessing specifically the challenges consumers might face in adopting new technologies and whether these are being adequately addressed when re-assessing priorities.