Thank you for contacting me about Powered Two Wheelers (PTWs).
I appreciate your concerns about the decarbonisation of PTWs. Ending the sale of internal combustion engines, alongside setting intermediary zero-emissions vehicle sales targets leading up to 2035, is expected to reduce transport emissions by approximately 60 per cent by 2035 and 98 per cent by 2050, compared to 2019 levels. Ending internal combustion engine sales will remove tailpipe air pollution, including some of the most harmful emissions such as PM2.5 and NOx.
The Government has taken steps to support the decarbonisation of PTWs. The Department for Transport has committed £2.5 billion since 2020 to support the transition to zero emission vehicles. This provides funding to offset the higher upfront cost of electric vehicles and more than £1.6 billion to be used to support charging infrastructure.
Additionally, though I appreciate your concerns about supply chains for PTWs, I am encouraged by the Department for Business and Trade’s work develop robust critical supply chains for the UK. The UK’s work to accede to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, for instance, will enable British manufacturers and industry more widely to diversify their supply chains and spread risk as they minimise reliance on any single country in the sourcing of raw materials, components, and equipment.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Thank you for contacting me about Powered Two Wheelers (PTWs).
I appreciate your concerns about the decarbonisation of PTWs. Ending the sale of internal combustion engines, alongside setting intermediary zero-emissions vehicles sales targets leading up to 2035, is expected to reduce transport emissions by approximately 60 per cent by 2035 and 98 per cent by 2050, compared to 2019 levels. Ending internal combustion engine sales will remove tailpipe air pollution produced by cars and vans, including some of the most harmful emissions such as PM2.5 and NOx.
The Government has taken steps to support the decarbonisation of PTWs.
The Department for Transport has committed £2.5 billion since 2020 to support the transition to zero emission vehicles. This provides funding to offset the higher upfront cost of electric vehicles and more than
£1.6 billion to be used to support charging infrastructure.
I am aware that the European Union (EU) recently exempted cars that run on so-called “e-fuels” from the EU decarbonisation programme.
However, I support the Government’s proposals in their current form.
At present, all commercial ICEs produce exhaust emissions that are harmful to health. Though some companies have claimed that hydrogen combustion engines are close to zero CO2 and NOx emissions, I understand that my ministerial colleagues have yet to see evidence that zero harmful emissions at the exhaust are possible in either laboratory or real-world conditions.
Additionally, though I appreciate your concerns about supply chains for PTWs, I am encouraged by the Department for Business and Trade’s work develop robust critical supply chains for the UK. The UK’s work to accede to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, for instance, will enable British manufacturers and industry more widely to diversify their supply chains and spread risk as they minimise reliance on any single country in the sourcing of raw materials, components, and equipment.
Having received a number of emails expressing similar concerns to your own I have made representations to the minister.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Martin Vickers
Member of Parliament for the Cleethorpes Constituency
Thank you for contacting me about the plans to end the sale of all petrol and diesel vehicles in the UK by 2035.
In November 2020 the Government announced that the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK would be phased out by 2030 and all new cars and vans would be zero emission by 2035. I support this target. Decarbonising our transport sector is one of the most pressing challenges that we face as a nation.
As you will know, the Department for Transport consulted on ending new non-zero emission L-category vehicles sales by 2035 between July and September 2022. However, we are still waiting for the Government to respond to the consultation and I know it is really important that the transition to zero emission vehicles is smooth.
The evidence is clear that transport is our country’s largest emitting sector, responsible for 24% of the UK’s total emissions in 2020. While motorcycles are less polluting than other combustion engine vehicles, there were over 1.4 million motorcycles licensed in 2020 and the Department for Transport has stated that it “does not want to see them remaining fossil fuelled as the rest of the vehicle fleet cleans up.”
It points out that zero emission powered light vehicles are a clean and efficient way of getting around and can reduce congestion, air, and noise pollution from transport.
Nevertheless, I respect that you may disagree and I hope the Government reflects on the concerns that you raise. It is important that, at the same time as accelerating the phase out of combustion engines, Ministers set out a credible plan as to how this will be done.
This should, in my view, prioritise the creation of low-carbon jobs and industries and ensure that communities are properly supported as we make the transition to a greener economy. It should also mean looking closely at consultation responses and at action being taken in other countries, including in the EU as you point out.
I continue to believe that we need more ambition and more action from this Government if we are to meet net zero. I want to see Britain become a clean energy superpower. As part of this, we must support motorists by turbocharging the transition to cheaper electric vehicles, making them affordable and accessible to all with charging facilities everywhere.
Thank you once again for contacting me about this issue.
Kind Regards,
ALEX SOBEL MP
Shadow Minister for Nature Member of Parliament for Leeds North West
Dame Diana Johnson MP: Labour – Kingston upon Hull North
Dear George,
I hope you are well. Thank you for contacting me about the Government’s plans for new Powered Two Wheelers (PTWs).
In November 2020 the Government announced that the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK would be phased out by 2030 and all new cars and vans would be zero emission by 2035. Although I respect that you may disagree with this position, I support this target. Decarbonising our transport sector is one of the most pressing challenges that we face as a nation.
The evidence is clear that transport is our country’s largest emitting sector, responsible for 24% of the UK’s total emissions in 2020. While motorcycles are less polluting than other combustion engine vehicles, there were over 1.4 million motorcycles licensed in 2020 and the Department for Transport has stated that it “does not want to see them remaining fossil fuelled as the rest of the vehicle fleet cleans up.” It points out that zero emission powered light vehicles are a clean and efficient way of getting around and can reduce congestion, air, and noise pollution from transport.
As you will know, the Department for Transport consulted on ending new non-zero emission L-category vehicles sales by 2035 between July and September 2022. However, we are still waiting for the Government to respond to the consultation and your email hits upon the importance that the transition to zero emission vehicles is smooth.
I hope we can agree that it is essential the Government reflects on the concerns that you and others have raised within their consultation response. It is important that, at the same time as accelerating the phase out of combustion engines, Ministers set out a credible plan as to how this will be done and that that transition is fair.
This should, in my view, prioritise the creation of low-carbon jobs and industries and ensure that communities are properly supported as we make the transition to a greener economy. I believe we must support motorists directly by turbocharging the transition to cheaper electric vehicles, making them affordable and accessible.
Thank you once again for contacting me about this issue.
Yours sincerely,
Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP Labour Member of Parliament for Kingston upon Hull North Chair of Home Affairs Select Committee
Dear [….],
I hope you are well. Thank you for contacting me about the Government’s plans for new Powered Two Wheelers (PTWs).
In November 2020 the Government announced that the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK would be phased out by 2030 and all new cars and vans would be zero emission by 2035. Although I respect that you may disagree with this position, I support this target. Decarbonising our transport sector is one of the most pressing challenges that we face as a nation.
The evidence is clear that transport is our country’s largest emitting sector, responsible for 24% of the UK’s total emissions in 2020. While motorcycles are less polluting than other combustion engine vehicles, there were over 1.4 million motorcycles licensed in 2020 and the Department for Transport has stated that it “does not want to see them remaining fossil fuelled as the rest of the vehicle fleet cleans up.” It points out that zero emission powered light vehicles are a clean and efficient way of getting around and can reduce congestion, air, and noise pollution from transport.
As you will know, the Department for Transport consulted on ending new non-zero emission L-category vehicles sales by 2035 between July and September 2022. However, we are still waiting for the Government to respond to the consultation and your email hits upon the importance that the transition to zero emission vehicles is smooth.
I hope we can agree that it is essential the Government reflects on the concerns that you and others have raised within their consultation response. It is important that, at the same time as accelerating the phase out of combustion engines, Ministers set out a credible plan as to how this will be done and that that transition is fair.
This should, in my view, prioritise the creation of low-carbon jobs and industries and ensure that communities are properly supported as we make the transition to a greener economy. I believe we must support motorists directly by turbocharging the transition to cheaper electric vehicles, making them affordable and accessible.
Thank you once again for contacting me about this issue.
Yours sincerely,
Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP
Labour Member of Parliament for Kingston upon Hull North Chair of Home Affairs Select Committee
Thank you for contacting me about the plans to end the sale of all petrol and diesel vehicles (including motorcycles) in the UK by 2035. In November 2020 the Government announced that the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK would be phased out by 2030 and all new cars and vans would be zero emission by 2035. I support this target.
Decarbonising our transport sector is one of the most pressing challenges that we face as a nation. As you will know, the Department for Transport consulted on ending new non-zero emission L-category vehicles sales by 2035 between July and September 2022. However, we are still waiting for the Government to respond to the consultation and I know it is really important that the transition to zero emission vehicles is smooth.
The evidence is clear that transport is our country’s largest emitting sector, responsible for 24% of the UK’s total emissions in 2020. While motorcycles are less polluting than other combustion engine vehicles, there were over 1.4 million motorcycles licensed in 2020 and the Department for Transport has stated that it “does not want to see them remaining fossil fuelled as the rest of the vehicle fleet cleans up.” It points out that zero emission powered light vehicles are a clean and efficient way of getting around and can reduce congestion, air, and noise pollution from transport.
Nevertheless, I respect that you may disagree and I hope the Government reflects on the concerns that you raise. It is important that, at the same time as accelerating the phase out of combustion engines, Ministers set out a credible plan as to how this will be done. This should, in my view, prioritise the creation of low-carbon jobs and industries and ensure that communities are properly supported as we make the transition to a greener economy.
I continue to believe that we need more ambition and more action from this Government if we are to meet net zero. As part of this, we must support motorists by supporting the transition to cheaper electric vehicles, making them affordable and accessible to all with charging facilities everywhere.
Thank you once again for contacting me about this issue.
Graham Stuart MP: Conservative – Beverley and Holderness
Dear [….]
Thank you for contacting me about Powered Two Wheelers (PTWs).
I appreciate your concerns about the decarbonisation of PTWs. Ending the sale of internal combustion engines, alongside setting intermediary zero-emissions vehicles sales targets leading up to 2035, is expected to reduce transport emissions by approximately 60 per cent by 2035 and 98 per cent by 2050, compared to 2019 levels. Ending internal combustion engine sales will remove tailpipe air pollution produced by cars and vans, including some of the most harmful emissions such as PM2.5 and NOx.
The Government has taken steps to support the decarbonisation of PTWs. The Department for Transport has committed £2.5 billion since 2020 to support the transition to zero emission vehicles. This provides funding to offset the higher upfront cost of electric vehicles and more than £1.6 billion to be used to support charging infrastructure.
I am aware that the European Union (EU) recently exempted cars that run on so-called “e-fuels” from the EU decarbonisation program. However, I support the Government’s proposals in their current form. At present, all commercial ICEs produce exhaust emissions that are harmful to health. Though some companies have claimed that hydrogen combustion engines are close to zero CO2 and NOx emissions, I understand that my ministerial colleagues have yet to see evidence that zero harmful emissions at the exhaust are possible in either laboratory or real-world conditions.
Additionally, though I appreciate your concerns about supply chains for PTWs, I am encouraged by the Department for Business and Trade’s work develop robust critical supply chains for the UK. The UK’s work to accede to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, for instance, will enable British manufacturers and industry more widely to diversify their supply chains and spread risk as they minimise reliance on any single country in the sourcing of raw materials, components, and equipment.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Miriam Cates MP: CConservative – Penistone and Stocksbridge
Dear [….],
Thank you for writing to Miriam Cates MP regarding the proposed ban on non-electric motorcycles.
While Miriam is aware of Government support being introduced to encourage the transition to zero-emission motorcycles across the UK –such as through a plug-in motorcycle grant scheme – she notes the benefits that motorcycles offer at present.
Motorcycles can make a significant contribution in combatting transport and traffic issues across the UK, in their ability to reduce congestion and in that they are an affordable alternative to the car. This in turn delivers independence and mobility as well as improving employment opportunities.
Miriam’s understanding is that the Government are currently seeking opinion on whether the UK should stop selling new non-zero emission L-category vehicles (such as motorcycles) and she awaits further announcements on this matter.
We sincerely hope that you find this response to be helpful.
Thanks once again for taking the time to raise this with Miriam.
Thank you for contacting me about the plans to end the sale of all petrol and diesel vehicles in the UK by 2035.
In November 2020 the Government announced that the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK would be phased out by 2030 and all new cars and vans would be zero emission by 2035. I support this target.
Decarbonising our transport sector is one of the most pressing challenges that we face as a nation.
As you will know, the Department for Transport consulted on ending new non-zero emission L-category vehicles sales by 2035 between July and September 2022. However, we are still waiting for the Government to respond to the consultation and I know it is really important that the transition to zero emission vehicles is smooth.
The evidence is clear that transport is our country’s largest emitting sector, responsible for 24% of the UK’s total emissions in 2020. While motorcycles are less polluting than other combustion engine vehicles, there were over 1.4 million motorcycles licensed in 2020 and the Department for Transport has stated that it “does not want to see them remaining fossil fuelled as the rest of the vehicle fleet cleans up.”
It points out that zero emission powered light vehicles are a clean and efficient way of getting around and can reduce congestion, air, and noise pollution from transport.
evertheless, I respect that you may disagree and I hope the Government reflects on the concerns that you raise. It is important that, at the same time as accelerating the phase out of combustion engines, Ministers set out a credible plan as to how this will be done. This should, in my view, prioritise the creation of low-carbon jobs and industries and ensure that communities are properly supported as we make the transition to a greener economy.
I continue to believe that we need more ambition and more action from this Government if we are to meet net zero. I want to see Britain become a clean energy superpower. As part of this, we must support motorists by turbocharging the transition to cheaper electric vehicles, making them affordable and accessible to all with charging facilities everywhere.
Thank you once again for contacting me about this issue.
Thank you for writing to me about the CEBR report on the ending of the sale of petrol vehicles, which I understand was co-funded by the Motorcycle Action Group. I have tried to look at the report, but the link you provided didn’t work.
I’m sure you know that the then Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced in November 2020, that the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the United Kingdom would be phased out by 2030 and that all new cars and vans would be zero emission by 2035. You will also know that this target has the support of both the Government and the Opposition, and I back it too.
I do understand your concerns as a motorcycle enthusiast, but I would urge you to consider the damage of transport emissions both to people’s health and to the sustainability of our planet for future generations. As we transition to clean transport, while the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be phased out from 2030, the use of petrol and diesel cars will not be banned. Existing petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans can continue to be driven and sold in the second-hand market. You can read the Governments plans in full here. [1]
You’ll no doubt have heard of the recent and tragic death of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah – the first person in the UK to have been recorded as dying from air pollution, although we know that it affects many more people, increasing the risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular disease and being linked to up to 36,000 people dying early each year in the UK.
According to Government statistics, Transport produced 27% of the UK’s total emissions in 2019. Of this, the majority (91%) came from road transport vehicles.
As the BBC reported recently “in countries like the UK and the US, the transport sector is now responsible for emitting more greenhouse gases than any other [2], including electricity production and agriculture. Globally, transport accounts for around a quarter [3] of CO2 emissions. And much of the world’s transport networks still remain focused around the car. Road vehicles – cars, trucks, buses and motorbikes – account for nearly three quarters of the greenhouse gas emissions [3] that come from transport”. Given the damage that air pollution has to both the planet and our health, it’s important we do what we can to reduce our country’s carbon emissions.
The Labour Party has called for an “Electric Vehicle revolution” so that electric cars and motorbikes are affordable and more convenient (you can read more about that here [4]), including a commitment to “Make it easier for people to drive an electric vehicle, wherever (they) live, by accelerating the roll-out of charging points on streets”.
