Zero emission vehicles and road pricing

Transport Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 18 Dec 2020 Closed: 14 Nov 2022 Parliament page
This inquiry will consider the implications of accelerating the shift to zero emission vehicles and the potential for introducing road pricing, or pay-as-you-drive, schemes. The Transport Committee was one of the six commissioning committees behind the first UK-wide Climate Assembly, which published its report in September 2020. The Assembly put … Read more
14 Recommendations
4 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
2 Letters
3 Events
Activity timeline 7 events
25 Oct
2021
Report published
28 Jul
2021
Report published
13 Jul
2021
Correspondence
13 Jul
2021
Correspondence
23 Jun
2021
Oral evidence
9 Jun
2021
Oral evidence
28 Apr
2021
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
23 Jun 2021
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Rachel Maclean MP · Department for Transport Richard Bruce · Department for Transport
9 Jun 2021
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Andrew Hickford · Leeds City Council Graeme Cooper · National Grid Lucy Hayward-Speight · Transport for London Mr Peter Molyneux · Transport for the North Roger Hunter · Shell UK Tanya Sinclair · Chargepoint
28 Apr 2021
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Caterina Brandmayr · Green Alliance Ed Birkett · Policy Exchange Edward Leigh · Smarter Cambridge Transport Mr Eamonn Ives · Centre for Policy Studies Ms Claire Haigh · Greener Transport Solutions Professor Philip Booth · Institute of Economic Affairs Sarah Owen-Vandersluis · KPMG
Title HC No. Published Items Response
First Report - Zero emission vehicles HC 27 28 Jul 2021 18 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
18 results
1 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - Zero emission vehic…
A healthy used electric vehicle market is critical to ensuring that electric vehicles are not...
A healthy used electric vehicle market is critical to ensuring that electric vehicles are not the sole preserve of people who can afford new models. The Government’s position is that current incentives to stimulate the sale of new EVs are … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts, agreeing a new regulatory framework is needed for ZEV uptake. They have published a Green Paper proposing a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate but do not specifically detail how the market will facilitate the supply of affordable new and used electric vehicles, especially for the used market.
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2 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - Zero emission vehic…
In order to ensure that the Government achieves the targets set out in the Transport...
In order to ensure that the Government achieves the targets set out in the Transport Decarbonisation Plan, it may need to intervene to support the second-hand market in electric vehicles until price parity with comparable ICE vehicles is reached.
Government Response
The government partially accepts, agreeing a new regulatory framework is needed for net zero ambitions and an increasing proportion of zero emission vehicles. They have published a Green Paper proposing a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, but do not specifically detail intervention to support the second-hand EV market.
Department for Transport
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3 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - Zero emission vehic…
A zero emission vehicle mandate would: • be revenue neutral; • provide certainty to allow...
A zero emission vehicle mandate would: • be revenue neutral; • provide certainty to allow manufacturers to invest in the UK and supply a sufficient volume of ZEVs to meet the UK’s decarbonisation commitments; • reduce costs for consumers by … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts, agreeing a new regulatory framework is needed and stating its preferred option is deploying a Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate combined with CO2 regulation.
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4 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - Zero emission vehic…
In order to achieve its 2030 and 2035 targets, the Government must introduce a ZEV...
In order to achieve its 2030 and 2035 targets, the Government must introduce a ZEV mandate to incentivise manufacturers to sell an increasing proportion of ZEVs or to purchase tradeable credits year-on-year, reaching some 100% ZEV sales by 2030.
Government Response
The government partially accepts, agreeing a new regulatory framework is required and has published a Green Paper outlining a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate as its preferred option. This indicates a commitment towards introducing the mandate but is not yet a full introduction with 100% ZEV sales by 2030.
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5 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - Zero emission vehic…
The Government must define ‘significant zero emissions capability’ for the automotive manufacturing industry, while ensuring...
The Government must define ‘significant zero emissions capability’ for the automotive manufacturing industry, while ensuring that only the cleanest possible hybrid technology is available until 2035. It should also maintain a technology-neutral approach to the transition to ZEVs and explore … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, stating it has consulted on defining ‘significant zero emissions capability’ and will respond shortly. It confirms a technology-neutral approach to ZEVs and outlines ongoing support for hydrogen transport and increased Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation targets.
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6 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - Zero emission vehic…
Drivers who do not have access to off-street parking and who live in rural or...
Drivers who do not have access to off-street parking and who live in rural or remote areas may struggle to charge their vehicles. To ensure that a comprehensive network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure is in place by 2030, sub-national … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to ensuring no areas are left behind in EV charging. The upcoming Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy will outline roles and responsibilities for stakeholders, including local authorities, to ensure local planning and deployment of chargepoints.
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7 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - Zero emission vehic…
As part of its electric vehicle charging infrastructure strategy, the Government must explain: a) how...
As part of its electric vehicle charging infrastructure strategy, the Government must explain: a) how it will support all regions and local authorities to deliver sufficient and well- maintained charging infrastructure solutions tailored to local needs, so that no area … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts, committing to ensure no areas are left behind. The upcoming Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy will outline stakeholder roles and responsibilities for local chargepoint planning and deployment, and they will monitor market activity, ready to intervene if needed to accelerate deployment.
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8 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - Zero emission vehic…
To facilitate the roll-out of charging infrastructure, the Government must: a) use the upcoming Planning...
To facilitate the roll-out of charging infrastructure, the Government must: a) use the upcoming Planning Bill to make public charge point provision a requirement of local plans; b) make funding for the on-street residential charging scheme dependent upon local authorities … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts. They will set out expectations for local authorities to consider EV infrastructure and are consulting on a statutory requirement. They confirm a £90m Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund but state it cannot be used for 'charge point champions' directly, instead procuring a body to support local authorities.
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9 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - Zero emission vehic…
The Government must work with National Grid to map the electricity network to assess potential...
The Government must work with National Grid to map the electricity network to assess potential weak areas, especially in rural locations, and to develop a plan to prevent ‘not-spots’ from emerging similar to those during the roll-out of broadband and … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts, explaining that while it agrees no region should be left behind, electricity network operators (DNOs) are responsible for network capacity. It is working with the Energy Networks Association to produce a National Energy System Map, with a prototype due in October 2021, to provide useful information for chargepoint operators.
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10 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - Zero emission vehic…
Project Rapid, which specifies the number of charge points on the strategic road network by...
Project Rapid, which specifies the number of charge points on the strategic road network by 2023 and beyond, is welcome. However, the spending priorities for the £950 million rapid charging fund are currently obscure. Given the time and expense involved … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts, clarifying that the £950 million Rapid Charging Fund will future-proof grid capacity along major roads, focusing on uncommercial sites. It confirms continued engagement with industry on the fund's design, with details to be announced separately.
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11 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - Zero emission vehic…
The electric vehicle charging infrastructure strategy must set out: a) how the £950 million rapid...
The electric vehicle charging infrastructure strategy must set out: a) how the £950 million rapid charging fund will be spent to facilitate the implementation of charging infrastructure; and b) the measures that the Government is taking to identify and address … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts, confirming it will invest £950 million in the Rapid Charging Fund for grid capacity along the Strategic Road Network and major A roads, focusing on uncommercial sites, with full details to be announced later. It addresses how the fund will be spent generally but defers specific implementation details and doesn't fully detail measures for under-provision outside the SRN.
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12 Recommendation Deferred
First Report - Zero emission vehic…
The Government must amend the wayleave regime for installing charging infrastructure to ensure that that...
The Government must amend the wayleave regime for installing charging infrastructure to ensure that that regime does not act as a barrier to roll-out.
Government Response
The government partially accepts the principle, agreeing that wayleaves can be a barrier. They have launched a Land Rights and Consents project to explore these issues and gather evidence but are not yet in a position to prescribe specific solutions or amend the regime.
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13 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - Zero emission vehic…
Charging an electric vehicle should be convenient, straightforward, and inexpensive.
Charging an electric vehicle should be convenient, straightforward, and inexpensive. To boost consumer confidence in the charging network, to maximise convenience and value for motorists and to facilitate connectivity, all charge points should Zero emission vehicles 35 be interoperable and … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts, agreeing the public charging network should be seamless. They have proposed measures for app-free charging, pricing transparency, and easy chargepoint location, and will publish a consultation response in Autumn and lay legislation in early 2022.
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14 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - Zero emission vehic…
In the charging infrastructure strategy, the Government must explain how it will improve the consumer...
In the charging infrastructure strategy, the Government must explain how it will improve the consumer experience at public charge points and ensure that a) drivers can seamlessly access any charging network in any location at any time; and b) charge … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, committing to publishing its response to the Consumer Experience at Public Chargepoints consultation in Autumn and laying related legislation in early 2022. The Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy will also set out expectations for chargepoint operators to incentivise investment.
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15 Conclusion Acknowledged
First Report - Zero emission vehic…
People who rely on public charging infrastructure should get value for money and should not...
People who rely on public charging infrastructure should get value for money and should not be disadvantaged by unfair pricing mechanisms.
Government Response
The government partially accepts, acknowledging the price difference between home and public charging and agreeing that EV drivers should have access to fairly priced and accessible charging. However, the truncated response does not detail specific actions to address unfair pricing mechanisms beyond mentioning competition.
Department for Transport
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16 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - Zero emission vehic…
The Government must explain how it plans to tackle the potential price differential faced by...
The Government must explain how it plans to tackle the potential price differential faced by people who cannot charge their vehicles at home and are compelled to rely on on-street public charge points. It could do this by: a) protecting … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts the recommendation, recognizing the price difference for those without home charging and emphasizing the importance of competition in the market. However, the provided text does not explain specific plans to tackle the issue or address the VAT discrepancy.
Department for Transport
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17 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - Zero emission vehic…
We welcome the Government’s commitment to mandate that all new private charge points should be...
We welcome the Government’s commitment to mandate that all new private charge points should be equipped with smart functionality and to introduce the relevant legislation later in 2021.
Government Response
The government accepts and welcomes the committee's support, confirming it will bring forward legislation in Autumn 2021 to mandate smart functionality and default off-peak charging for all new home and workplace EV chargepoints in Great Britain.
Department for Transport
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18 Recommendation Accepted in Part
First Report - Zero emission vehic…
The Government must mandate industry to: a) use price as a lever to shift consumer...
The Government must mandate industry to: a) use price as a lever to shift consumer behaviour away from conventional refuelling habits towards ‘a little but often’ approach; and b) incentivise consumers to charge at times when there is less demand … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts, agreeing with the goal of incentivising off-peak charging but declining to mandate industry on pricing for 'a little but often' charging. It will mandate smart functionality for new chargepoints and encourage smart electricity tariffs, expecting these steps to achieve similar outcomes.
Department for Transport
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Government Response AI assessment · 18 of 14 classified
Accepted 7
Accepted in Part 9
Acknowledged 1
Deferred 1
Total 14 recs + 4 conclusions
Correspondence 2 letters
13 Jul 2021 Correspondence from Rachel Maclean MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport, relating to Zero emission vehicles and road pricing, dated 6 July 2021
Parliament page
13 Jul 2021 Correspondence from Rachel Maclean MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport, relating to Zero emission vehicles and road pricing, dated 2 July 2021
Parliament page