The Committee of Climate Change has published its Sixth Carbon Budget report today, stating that all car and van sales should be fully electric by 2032 and advises on a ban on the sale of new diesel trucks and lorries by 2040.
BVRLA Chief Executive, Gerry Keaney said:
“We already have an ambitious target for phasing out the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans and to change that now would cause confusion. The Government must regularly review progress against existing targets and should take steps to ensure that all road users and fleets have a realistic path to decarbonisation.
Setting a date for the phasing out of diesel trucks and lorries is a positive step, but HGV operators need a zero-emission roadmap. Upgrading fleets and refuelling infrastructure to adopt hydrogen or battery electric technology will be very expensive and the Government will need to help operators absorb that cost burden. Many trucks travel huge distances, cross many borders and rely on public fuelling facilities, so UK policymakers will need to align their freight decarbonisation strategy with other countries.”
The Committee of Climate Change’s Sixth Carbon Budget Report can be read here.
