We support the ban of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030 provided there is an adequate provision of charge points, particularly for those without access to off-street parking. The proposal for new hybrid cars and vans with significant zero emissions capability to be permitted until 2035 is supported in principle, but the permission should refer to ‘significant zero emissions in actual operations’ because some hybrid vehicles operate for significant periods with their petrol or diesel engine.
The acceleration of the ban on new vehicles presents an opportunity to change behaviour and encourage a shift towards sustainable and less congestion-causing travel. You can decide not to replace an old car, but travel more by public transport or choose a new electric car and use it differently, less or at different times of day. All this can be encouraged by clear statements of long-term policy, a mixture of carrots and sticks (such as road pricing considered later) and by an extensive, multi-faceted campaign of public information and nudging.
One of the challenges is the management of change in rural areas because of the distances involved and the lower level of public transport accessibility. We have covered this issue in more detail in our response to DfT’s call for evidence on the Future of Transport: rural strategy.