All new road vehicles in the UK will be zero emission within 20 years

This comes as new research from Bloomberg New Energy Finance, commissioned by the UK COP Presidency and published on 10 November, shows the progress made in the passenger vehicle market:

• Thirty-one per cent of the global passenger vehicle market is now covered by vehicle manufacturer commitments to end sales of fossil fuel-powered vehicles, up from a near-zero share of the market at the start of 2021.
• Global sales of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) have grown dramatically since 2019 from 2.1 million to 5.3 million.
• ZEVs are forecast to be 70 per cent of all new car sales in 2040, with this projection having doubled in the last five years.
• Nineteen per cent of 2020 passenger vehicles sales were in countries that now have an internal combustion engine (ICE) phase-out date, up from 5 per cent in 2019.

The UK government is also unveiling a new design for electric vehicle charge points, which could become as iconic as the Great British post box, London bus or black cab.

The government said the design concept will provide greater choice to industry and local government, as well as raise awareness and generate excitement around electric vehicles and builds on its goal to make sure everyone benefits from the transition to zero-emission transport. ZEVs are already cheaper to run in the UK than petrol or diesel cars and are expected to become cheaper to buy in the coming years.

“From our roads to the skies, the transition to zero emission transport has reached a tipping point. We know that transport plays a key role saving the planet from warming above 1.5°C, which is why this is the COP that will kick start our ambition for zero emission aviation and why I’m proud to be uniting world leaders to tackle climate change – creating new opportunities for clean growth, green jobs and improved air quality right across the globe,” UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said.

“To support the transition to EVs, it’s integral that we have the infrastructure to support it. My vision is for the UK to have one of the best EV infrastructure networks in the world, with excellent British design at its heart.”

British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) chief executive, Gerry Keaney, said the announcement is a welcome update and will support the industry in its drive towards decarbonisation.

“BVRLA members are already leading the way in making positive changes and it’s vital that regulations acknowledge the different challenges experienced from one vehicle type to another,” he said.

“Use cases of HGVs vary significantly, so we welcome the government’s intention to consult on derogations that will enable a fair and achievable transition. The BVRLA looks forward to working with the government on the delivery plan that will be essential in ensuring the UK road transport network can be decarbonised successfully.”