The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has published a report asking the government to do more on tackling emissions in the next decade.
The report, The Low-Carbon 2020s – a decade of delivery, was launched at a recent CBI conference, where the CBI Director General Carolyn Fairbairn called for a national network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
They also ask for more action from the energy regulator, Ofgem, to get investment into grid infrastructure to ensure it is in place before the increase in demand from the growth of EVs.
The report supports BVRLA recommendations on EV uptakes, including an incentive package to increase ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV) sales by the next Spring Statement, more help for low-income households to dispose of polluting vehicles, more certainty around company car tax (CCT) beyond 2023 and also a request that the government reviews fuel duty ahead of the expected increase in EV use.
A ULEV incentive package will not only incentivise consumers to change their behaviour but give manufacturers and charging infrastructure providers the confidence to invest in the market.
Given the role fleets play in delivering change quickly, generating sales and creating supply for the second-hand market, the government must give fleet operators long term certainty through the publication of CCT and benefit in kind rates beyond 2023.
The report also suggests thinking about how we can prepare the transport network for a new greener future. A review, as suggested by the Commons Transport Select Committee, should also include the economic, environmental and social impacts of tools such as congestion charges, workplace parking levies, low emission and clean air zones. The government should take the opportunity to respond to the Committee’s inquiry into road pricing and sustainable transport by the end of 2021.
