Ending the Sale of New Petrol, Diesel and Hybrid Cars and Vans: Department for Transport and Office for Low Emission Vehicles Consultation

The UK Government is seeking views on bringing forward the end to the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans from 2040 to 2035, or earlier if a faster transition appears feasible. Government is asking for views on: 1. the phase out date, 2. the definition of what should be phased out, 3. barriers to achieving the above proposals, 4. the impact of these ambitions on different sectors of industry and society, and 5. what measures are required by government and others to achieve the earlier phase out date. UKERC and other research groups have undertaken a range of research relevant to this inquiry over the last few years. The predominant focus has been the longer term transformation of the transport-energy system with particular focus on the electrification of light duty vehicles. This response takes a ‘systemic’ approach across the transport and electricity systems to how long term goals might be met and uses this to inform analysis of decisions on short to medium term targets. This consultation and impending publication of the ‘Transport Decarbonisation Plan’ mean now is a good time to consider the implications of a ‘net zero’ world that requires emissions to decrease faster and further than before.