The era of fossil fuel-powered road transport is on the brink of extinction, with a bold initiative in Britain aiming to have every new car, van, or light truck sold be zero-emission electrified or potentially hydrogen-fuelled by 2035. This move aligns with the UK’s legal commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with road transport being its largest carbon emitter, necessitating it to spearhead this transformation.

Recognising that the majority of vehicles in the UK remain on the road for approximately 15 years, the rationale behind the 2035 end-of-sale date becomes evident. To achieve this, the UK government has mandated an increasing proportion of new car and van sales—up to 80 percent by 2030—to be zero emission. However, mandates alone cannot shape markets; the transition will hinge on factors such as cost, convenience and choice.

Fortunately, there is a plethora of options available, including over 100 electric car models, 20 electric van models and a growing hydrogen sector. Yet, despite significant growth, the electric vehicle (EV) market remains largely within the realm of early adopters. Transitioning to mass adoption swiftly is imperative.

Cost is a crucial factor in driving this transition, ensuring it’s accessible to everyone. Zero-emission vehicles inherently come at a higher price point, largely due to the considerably higher cost of batteries compared to traditional engines. While industry efforts are underway to reduce these costs, more action is required. Providing compelling incentives, particularly for private retail buyers, is essential to drive uptake.

Furthermore, there are existing inequalities that need to be addressed. Carbon-reducing technologies like heat pumps and solar panels enjoy VAT exemptions, whereas purchasing a car incurs a standard 20 percent VAT regardless of its emissions. Temporarily halving VAT on new EVs could significantly encourage adoption, making them more accessible to the average consumer.

In addition to cost, convenience plays a pivotal role in the transition. EV charging infrastructure needs to be as convenient as refuelling petrol or diesel vehicles. However, inadequate charging infrastructure remains a common concern among EV drivers. To address this, there should be binding charge-point targets aligned with EV targets, ensuring that infrastructure keeps pace with demand.

In tackling heavy vehicles, which are significant contributors to road transport emissions, progress is being made, particularly in the zero-emission bus market. However, decarbonising operations involving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) presents unique challenges, including higher capital expenditure, limited charging infrastructure, planning constraints and grid upgrades. Government support, such as the HGV grant, is essential but currently covers only a fraction of models.

Ultimately, ambitious policies are needed to complement the ambitious targets set by the government, addressing both cost and convenience barriers to accelerate the transition towards clean and green transport, positioning Britain as a leader in sustainable mobility.