EV investment and zero emission mandate for car manufacturers announced

The Net Zero Strategy has been revealed ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) due to be hosted by the UK in Glasgow from 31 October-12 November.

The new commitments will reportedly unlock £90 billion of private investment by 2030, support 440,000 well-paid jobs in green industries in 2030 and reduce the UK’s reliance on imported fossil fuels to protect consumers from global price spikes.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said “by moving first” and “taking bold action”, the plan will help to achieve a competitive edge in industries like electric vehicles, though critics have hit back that the 360-page-long strategy did not include enough to reach net zero in time.

For motorists, measures include an extra £620 million for electric vehicle grants and additional infrastructure such as on-street charging, with a heavy focus on local on-street residential charge points.

This will make it easier for EV owners without access to off-street parking to charge their vehicles. An extra £350 million will go towards assisting the electrification of UK vehicles and their supply chains.

The government said it will also introduce a zero-emission vehicle mandate to help put thousands more zero emissions cars and vans on to UK roads. It will set targets for a percentage of manufacturers’ new car and van sales to be zero emissions each year from 2024.

This is aimed at supporting the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, though the exact percentage currently remains undecided.

Boris Johnson said: “The UK’s path to ending our contribution to climate change will be paved with well-paid jobs, billions in investment and thriving green industries, powering our green industrial revolution across the country.

“By moving first and taking bold action, we will build a defining competitive edge in electric vehicles, offshore wind, carbon capture technology and more, whilst supporting people and businesses along the way.

“With the major climate summit COP26 just around the corner, our strategy sets the example for other countries to build back greener too as we lead the charge towards global net zero.”

• Electric cars – a definitive guide
• 11 ways to reduce your driving emissions
• Are electric cars really better for the environment?

However, shadow business secretary Ed Miliband said: “The plan falls short on delivery, and while there is modest short-term investment, there is nothing like the commitment we believe is required.

“My fear is this plan will not deliver the fair, prosperous transition we need equal to the scale of the emergency we face.”

Rebecca Newsom, Greenpeace UK’s head of politics, said: “This document is more like a pick and mix than the substantial meal that we need to reach net zero.

“Extra cash for tree planting and progress on electric vehicles doesn’t make up for the lack of concrete plans to deliver renewables at scale, investment in public transport, or a firm commitment to end new oil and gas licences.”