Fuelling the future: motive power and connectivity

Transport Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 13 Dec 2021 Closed: 15 Jun 2023 Parliament page
The Committee is examining how Government fuel policy will affect connectivity, capacity and sustainability across all transport modes, including motor vehicles, maritime, rail and aviation, up to 2050. We are particularly interested in receiving written evidence that addresses: The effect of Government fuel policy on future road, rail, air and … Read more
14 Recommendations
6 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
4 Letters
3 Events
Activity timeline 12 events
5 Jul
2023
Correspondence
15 Jun
2023
Report published
15 Jun
2023
Correspondence
2 Mar
2023
Report published
27 Apr
2022
Correspondence
16 Mar
2022
Oral evidence
16 Mar
2022
Correspondence
16 Mar
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
2 Mar
2022
Oral evidence
2 Mar
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 16, Palace of Westminster
9 Feb
2022
Oral evidence
9 Feb
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
16 Mar 2022
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Caroline Low CBE · Department for Transport Trudy Harrison MP · Department for Transport
2 Mar 2022
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Anna Ziou · UK Chamber of Shipping Greg Archer · Electromobility UK Guy Lachlan · Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance Helen Simpson · Porterbrook James McMicking · ZeroAvia Maggie Simpson OBE · Rail Freight Group Rhona Macdonald · British Ports Association Rob Bishton · Civil Aviation Authority
9 Feb 2022
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Dr Andy Roberts · UK Petroleum Industries Association Dr Neville Hargreaves · Velocys Dr Nina Skorupska CBE · The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology Ed Birkett · Policy Exchange Louise Kingham Paddy Lowe · Zero Petroleum
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Third Report - Fuelling the future: motive power and connectivity HC 159 2 Mar 2023 20 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
6 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Fuelling the future…
It is our view that the case for full electrification in private cars is ‘the...
It is our view that the case for full electrification in private cars is ‘the received wisdom’, and therefore needs further scrutiny and investigation.
Government Response
The government acknowledges the limitations of synthetic fuels and states that low carbon fuels have a role in sectors where there are limited alternatives to liquid or gaseous fuels, such as aviation and maritime, and niche applications such as classic and historic vehicles.
Department for Transport
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2 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Fuelling the future…
Given the existing private cars that will remain on the road for some time, drop-...
Given the existing private cars that will remain on the road for some time, drop- in replacement fuels from renewable sources could be a no-risk, very sensible and economically sound approach.
Government Response
The government recognises the merit in encouraging drop-in sustainable fuels and decarbonising vehicles on the road, highlighting the RTFO scheme. They also note limitations, like the expense and energy intensity of synthetic fuels, and air quality concerns.
Department for Transport
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11 Recommendation Acknowledged
Third Report - Fuelling the future…
We recommend that the Government publish its future of rural transport strategy as a matter...
We recommend that the Government publish its future of rural transport strategy as a matter of priority. The strategy should include the Government’s plan to ensure people living in rural areas have adequate access to charging infrastructure.
Government Response
The government agrees with the recommendation to publish its future of rural transport strategy as a matter of priority and highlights its existing EV Infrastructure Strategy and related policies, but makes no specific commitment to a timeline or content for the rural transport strategy.
Department for Transport
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18 Recommendation Acknowledged
Third Report - Fuelling the future…
The Government may not always be able to adhere to its technology agnostic policy as...
The Government may not always be able to adhere to its technology agnostic policy as it seeks to achieve the target of net zero emissions by 2050. If that aspiration is to be fulfilled, it must introduce policies that enable … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the impact of uncertainty, but believes its technology-neutral approach is the most credible path to net zero, committing to reviewing its strategy and funding research programs. They are publishing a Low Carbon Fuels Strategy.
Department for Transport
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19 Conclusion Acknowledged
Third Report - Fuelling the future…
The technology agnostic approach has led to a lack of investment in alternative decarbonisation technologies...
The technology agnostic approach has led to a lack of investment in alternative decarbonisation technologies by the private sector. A more nuanced approach to increasing the uptake of alternative fuels is required.
Government Response
The government acknowledges the impact of uncertainty on its strategy given its reliance on long-term projections and uncertainty about future technological advances in some sectors. It is funding research programmes, and will publish a Low Carbon Fuels Strategy which will support investment by setting out a vision for the deployment of low carbon fuels across transport modes up to 2050.
Department for Transport
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20 Recommendation Acknowledged
Third Report - Fuelling the future…
The Government must shift its ‘technology agnostic’ policy to a ‘targeted technology investment’ policy.
The Government must shift its ‘technology agnostic’ policy to a ‘targeted technology investment’ policy. Such a policy will provide the Government with the flexibility to make strategic investments in new technologies that offer evidenced solutions to lowering emissions, while allowing … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the impact of uncertainty on its strategy given its reliance on long-term projections and uncertainty about future technological advances in some sectors. It is funding research programmes, and will publish a Low Carbon Fuels Strategy which will support investment by setting out a vision for the deployment of low carbon fuels across transport modes up to 2050.
Department for Transport
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Government Response AI assessment · 20 of 14 classified
Accepted 3
Accepted in Part 2
Acknowledged 6
Deferred 2
Not Addressed 3
Rejected 4
Total 14 recs + 6 conclusions
Correspondence 4 letters
5 Jul 2023 Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Transport, relating to publication of Government response to Committee's report on Fuelling the future, dated 30 June 2023
Parliament page
15 Jun 2023 Correspondence from the Chair to the Secretary of State for Transport, relating to the Government response to Fuelling the future, the Committee's Third Report of Session 2022-23, dated 15 June 2023
Parliament page
27 Apr 2022 Correspondence from Trudy Harrison MP, Minister of State, Department for Transport, relating to Great British Railways, dated 29 March 2022
Parliament page
16 Mar 2022 Correspondence from Rob Bishton, Group Director, Safety and Airspace Regulation, UK Civil Aviation Authority, relating to Fuelling the future: motive power and connectivity evidence session on 2 March, dated 8 March 2022
Parliament page