2032 end date for petrol and diesel vehicles recommended

In its annual report to Parliament, the Committee on Climate Change provides new advice to the government on delivering an economic recovery that accelerates the transition to a cleaner, net-zero emissions future.

The report recommends the Department for Transport confirms it will bring forward the ban on new petrol/diesel and plug-in hybrid car/van sales to 2032 at the latest, rather than the current aim of 2035, and to apply the same rules to motorcycles.

The report recommends that the DfT backs up the end date by introducing a Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, requiring increasing shares of sales to be zero-carbon, reaching 100% by 2032 at the latest.

Continue to support EV infrastructure to ensure it is not a barrier to high uptake levels including for those without individual off- street parking, and implement recommendations from the EV Energy Taskforce and the Faraday Institute.

The report also urges the DfT to set more ambitious UK regulations on new car/van CO2 to 2030, with more regular intervals than the EU's five years, backed by a rigorous real- world testing regime.

Regarding HGVs, the report wants the DfT to set out and implement a strategy to transition to zero-carbon freight, including stronger purchase incentives, infrastructure plans and clean air zones. Evaluate schemes to reduce HGV and van use in urban areas (e.g. e- cargo bikes and use of urban consolidation centres), to reduce traffic and improve the safety of active travel.

It also recommends trialling zero emission HGVs to establish which is the most suitable and cost-effective technology for the UK. Evaluate existing and increase support for HGV logistics improvement schemes. Strengthen incentives to buy more efficient and zero-carbon HGVs, and to include HGV recharging in plans.