SMMT responds to Seventh Carbon Budget
The Committee on Climate Change has published its Seventh Carbon Budget, the latest stepping stone on the UK’s path to net zero by 2050.
The budget, which is not policy but has historically been followed by the government, calls for an 87% reduction in emissions by 2040 compared to 1990 levels, and has highlighted electric vehicles as a fundamental driver of this.
It says that by 2027 electric cars should make up 57% of the new car market, while electric vans should increase its market share from just six per cent to 34% in the same time period.
Meanwhile, by 2040, the Committee says that four-in-five cars, three-quarters of vans and nearly two-thirds of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) on the road should be electric.
Interim chair of the Committee on Climate Change Professor Piers Forster, said:
“Our analysis shows that there is no need to pitch action on climate change against the economy. We will need government and business to deliver the investment, but we are confident that this Seventh Carbon Budget offers a secure, prosperous future for the UK.”
SMMT calls for ‘bold incentives’
However, the SMMT has said ‘bold incentives’ will be needed if the automotive industry is going to support the government’s net zero targets.
Chief executive Mike Hawes said: “As the Committee for Climate Change’s latest carbon budget makes abundantly clear, decarbonising surface transport and, particularly, road transport is fundamental to the delivery of net zero.
“Take-up of zero emission vehicles to the expected levels can only be stimulated if there are bold incentives to encourage demand, more affordable electricity, significant additional investment in infrastructure, and clear and consistent messaging that buying an electric vehicle is the right thing to do.
“Moreover, we want this transition to support industry, jobs and economic growth in the UK, so ambitious industrial and trade strategies must be implemented else the security and resilience the budget seeks to deliver would be put at risk.”
