The House of Lords’ Environment and Climate Change Committee has initiated an inquiry to investigate how the UK government intends to achieve its goal of decarbonising cars and vans within the next 12 years.

The inquiry aims to identify the primary barriers to reducing emissions from private transportation, as well as understand the costs and potential benefits associated with the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles in the UK.

Furthermore, the committee seeks to assess the progress made thus far towards the 2030 and 2035 milestones, in which sales of new hybrid cars will also be prohibited.

Committee chair Baroness Kate Parminter stated, “The time has come for action. We cannot achieve net-zero without individuals making changes to our lives, how we travel, and what we buy. The use of electric vehicles for passenger transport will be part of that, and the government has committed to ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030.”

The committee has invited the public to provide evidence regarding the government’s approach to the 2030 and 2035 targets, the electric vehicle market, the experience of purchasing an electric vehicle, the disposal of electric vehicles at the end of their life, infrastructure issues at both national and regional levels, and international perspectives.

The call for evidence includes several questions, such as whether the 2030 and 2035 targets are realistic and achievable, and whether they are incentivising the growth of the electric vehicle market. The complete list of questions can be found here.

These targets have gained significant attention in recent months, with prominent newspapers and business secretary Kemi Badenoch scrutinising the phase-out. Badenoch is reportedly seeking to persuade cabinet ministers to ease the incoming zero emission vehicle mandate, which will require that 22% of all new vehicle sales be electric from 2024 and increase annually thereafter, in order to protect the UK’s declining automotive industry.

The deadline for submitting evidence to the committee is Friday 15 September.

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