The House of Lords has launched an inquiry into the UK government’s plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles after 2030.
While there is no suggestion that the inquiry has been set up to question or oppose the government’s actions, the aim of the Lords is to understand how the government’s decarbonisation targets will be achieved, its costs and benefits.
The inquiry will be run by the environment and climate change committee of the House of Lords. The committee is seeking evidence in a range of areas, including the government’s approach to achieving 2030 and 2035 phase-out dates. It will explore the electric vehicle market, people’s experience of using an EV, the environmental cost of EVs, national and regional infrastructure and charging issues, and international perspectives.
The general public is being asked to submit evidence to the committee, so that over 30 questions can be fully discussed during the inquiry. These questions include:
• What are the main obstacles to the achievement of the Government’s 2030 and 2035 phase-out dates? Are the phase-out dates realistic and achievable? If not, what steps should the Government take to make the phase-out dates achievable?
• What are the main challenges that UK consumers face in their use of EVs?
“We want to hear from the public about their experience of acquiring and using EVs in the UK, and the barriers to doing so,” said Committee chair Baroness Kate Parminter. “We also want to find out from industry, local authorities, and all others with an interest in decarbonising transport, what the Government needs to do to encourage greater take up of EVs ahead of their 2030 and 2035 targets.”
Evidence should be submitted by 15 September 2023.
