UK’s race to net-zero threatened by shifting EV targets and infrastructure challenges
3 min read
As the UK pushes toward a 2050 net-zero target, electric vehicles are key to cutting emissions. Matt Western MP, chair of the Electric Vehicle APPG, explains how challenges in infrastructure, consumer incentives and shifting government policies threaten that progress
In 2021, as a sector, surface transport was the source of the highest volume of CO2 emissions, with passenger cars responsible for over half of the sector’s emissions. As such, the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate is central to achieving our net-zero emissions target by 2050. A recent report by the House of Lords found that electric vehicles (EVs) could provide “dramatic reductions” in emissions, in addition to improved air quality. But there are significant challenges, particularly in manufacturers meeting the arbitrary 22 per cent volume sales objective.
That said, vehicle manufacturers have made massive investments in product development and through delivering choice across every vehicle type. Within a decade, the choice has gone from just 16 battery electric car models, to more than 115, covering every vehicle segment. The UK is Europe’s second biggest zero-emission car market.
With this transition comes innovation and investment in our industries. In 2023, almost £24bn was announced to produce a new generation of zero-emission vehicles, electric batteries and components in the UK. On top of this, over £1bn has already been invested in public charging infrastructure to date.
While this growth has been impressive, market share has plateaued since consumer incentives ended in 2022. The Vehicle Emissions Trading Scheme (VETS) introduced new challenges in planning and product allocation. The rolling back of the UK ban on new car sales of petrol and diesel-engine vehicles from 2030 to 2035 by Rishi Sunak’s government in September 2023 brought uncertainty to the market, at a time when governments must work hard to reassure and spur on automotive manufacturers.
Prior to this, however, not enough was done to achieve our ambitious targets. Any government requires a two-fold approach to achieving the ZEV mandate. First, it must ensure that consumers are empowered to buy EVs, through positive messaging and careful consideration of the barriers to acquiring an EV (namely, the upfront cost). Secondly, the practical groundwork must be accounted for in policymaking, such as charging infrastructure, electric grid roll-out and decarbonisation, and ensuring the recycling infrastructure for EVs are all in place.
“A recent report by the House of Lords found that electric vehicles (EVs) could provide “dramatic reductions” in emissions, in addition to improved air quality”
It was through mixed-messaging and slow progress that the barriers to the EV roll-out weren’t successfully tackled. I am pleased that the Labour government has committed to a vibrant and competitive UK automotive industry both in its manifesto earlier this year − through supporting new gigafactories, accelerating the rollout of new charging points, increasing the onus on R&D funding, and improving our nation’s skills so we have a workforce equipped to innovate. Furthermore, in the Budget, the government also maintained incentives for electric vehicles.
I am looking forward to seeing how the EV rollout is supported in the government’s industrial strategy next year. With the right measures, consumer support and the right ecosystem in place, we can fix the foundations of this transition and, with it, deliver the biggest technology transition ever attempted – ensuring that economic growth and environmental improvements are non-negotiable.
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