“The evidence we received shows the Government must do more
to get people to adopt EVs. If it fails to heed our
recommendations the UK won’t reap the significant benefits of
better air quality and will lag in the slow lane for tackling
climate change.” , Chair of the
inquiry
A House of Lords committee report, published today, has warned
that the Government needs to put its foot on the accelerator if
the UK is to transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs) in time to
meet net zero targets.
In its report; EV strategy: rapid recharge needed
(published today), the Environment and Climate Change Committee
has warned that a combination of higher purchase costs,
insufficient charging infrastructure and mixed messaging risks
people not adopting EV cars.
Whilst welcoming the ZEV mandate on manufacturers, recent
investment in the UK car manufacturing industry and initial
support for local authorities, including the Local Electric
Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) fund, the report calls on the
Government to act much faster. This includes tackling the
disparity in upfront costs between EVs and petrol and diesel cars
and looking at targeted grants to incentivise the purchase of new
electric cars.
After taking evidence from a wide range of witnesses[1] and hearing from young
people from across the UK, through its unique Youth Engagement
Programme, the committee also calls on the Government to:
instil confidence in consumers by:
- exploring options to incentivise
second hand electric car sales, including developing a ‘battery
health standard’;
- reforming road tax to give a clear
steer on future motoring costs;
- equalising VAT for charging by
reducing the 20% VAT rate applied to public charging, to 5% in
line with domestic electricity;
- Communicating a positive vision of
the EV transition to consumers, and promoting comprehensive,
clear, & accurate information.
accelerate the rollout of the UK’s charging
infrastructure by:
- extending Local Electric Vehicle
Infrastructure (LEVI) funding for another three years;
- consulting on offering a ‘right to
charge’ for tenants and leaseholders in multi-occupancy
buildings;
- reviewing planning regulation to
ensure that the rollout of EV infrastructure is not unduly
delayed by out-dated regulation;
- consulting on mandating workplaces
with designated car parking spaces to install EV chargepoints.
support industry by:
- further enhancing UK manufacturing
and battery innovation;
- accelerating investment in UK
vehicle and battery recycling facilities.
, Chair of the
inquiry[2] said;
“Surface transport is the UK’s highest emitting sector for CO2,
with passenger cars responsible for over half those emissions.
The evidence we received shows the Government must do more – and
quickly – to get people to adopt EVs. If it fails to heed our
recommendations the UK won’t reap the significant benefits of
better air quality and will lag in the slow lane for tackling
climate change.”
Notes to Editors
- The inquiry was launched in August
2023 to identify the main obstacles and barriers to a successful
and equitable transition to the Government's EV target for
passenger vehicles and to make clear and targeted recommendations
for change to meet that target. The committee examined a wide
range of areas: the Government's overall approach to and
messaging around the transition; the electric vehicles market and
acquiring an electric vehicle; the end-of-life disposal of
electric vehicles; national and regional infrastructure and
charging issues; and international perspectives and
comparisons.
- During the inquiry, the committee
heard from a range of witnesses including; members of the public,
major car manufacturers, chargepoint operators, local
authorities, distribution network operators, car dealerships and
Government Ministers.
- Committee members during the
inquiry: (Chair), , , , , , , , , , , , .
- The six schools and colleges taking
part in the youth engagement programme are:Barnsley College,
South Yorkshire; Boroughmuir High School,
Edinburgh; Langley College, Berkshire; London Academy
of Excellence, London; Loreto Sixth Form College, Greater
Manchester; St Louise's College, Belfast.
