Author: Colin Brown

 Dear [xxxx],

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns on the proposed petrol and diesel ban for new vehicles.

Current policy is that the UK government aims to eliminate our contribution to climate change and achieve net zero by 2050.

Bringing forward the end the sale of new petrol and diesel powered vehicles to 2030 is, in my view, unnecessary. I note that under current plans the sale of new hybrid and plug-in hybrids will be able to continue until 2035.

I know that the Government is seeking to put in place the infrastructure to facilitate the accelerated transition to electric vehicles – including public chargepoints, residential on-street chargepoints as well as rapid and smart chargepoints.

The proposed ban, if it goes ahead, is only on the sale of new combustion engine cars; those already on the road will still be legal to own and drive. As I understand it, there is no suggestion that classic cars powered by traditional petrol or diesel engines will be forced off the road.

Motorcycles can make a significant contribution to addressing our country’s transport and traffic issues. Indeed, they can reduce congestion and represent an affordable alternative to the car, delivering independence and mobility as well as broadening employment opportunities. The Government is investing in a plug-in motorcycle grant scheme, which is available for eligible zero emission motorcycles and mopeds across the UK.

The government is currently suggesting that, subject to consultation, all new motorcycles will have to be fully zero emissions at the tailpipe by 2035. The Government recently sought opinions as to when the UK should stop selling new non-zero emission L-category vehicles, such as motorcycles. I look forward to their response in due course.

I am aware of developments in Europe whereby a compromise where synthetic ‘e-fuels’ will be permitted is being proposed and I agree with it. This is a significant development as it will allow existing refuelling infrastructure to be utilised, as well as existing ICE vehicles but with a much smaller environmental impact when compared to using current fossil fuels in petrol and diesel vehicles.

I agree with you that the UK should follow the EU lead in this area.

Kind regards,

Greg

Rt Hon Sir Greg Knight MP

26th June 2023

 

Dear [xxx],

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns on the petrol and diesel ban, and electric vehicles.

It is important that we as a country take action to tackle climate change to help mitigate its effects, which include flooding, costal erosion and other issues caused by extreme weather. To play our part in tackling this global issue, the UK aims to eliminate our contribution to climate change and achieve net zero by 2050.

Bringing forward the end the sale of petrol and diesel cars and vans to 2030 and increasing the use of electric vehicles will play a crucial role in helping the UK to hit this ambitious, legally binding target.

The sale of new hybrid and plug-in hybrids will be able to continue until 2035.

Motorcycles can make a significant contribution to addressing our country’s transport and traffic issues. Indeed, they can reduce congestion and represent an affordable alternative to the car, delivering independence and mobility as well as broadening employment opportunities. The Government is investing in a plug-in motorcycle grant scheme, which is available for eligible zero emission motorcycles and mopeds across the UK.

Subject to consultation, all new motorcycles will have to be fully zero emissions at the tailpipe by 2035. I am assured that the Government will continue to support the transition with a package of financial and non-financial incentives. The Government recently sought opinions as to when the UK should stop selling new non-zero emission L-category vehicles, such as motorcycles, and I look forward to their response in due course.

I want to assure you that the Government is putting in place the infrastructure to facilitate the accelerated transition to electric vehicles – including public chargepoints, residential on-street chargepoints as well as rapid and smart chargepoints.

So far, government funding, alongside private sector investment, has supported the installation of more than 37,000 public electric vehicle charging devices, including over 6,000 rapid chargepoints – one of the largest networks in Europe. But there is much more to do. That is why I am glad that consumers will soon be able to compare costs across charging networks in a recognisable format similar to pence per litre for fuel and there will be new standards to ensure reliable charging for electric vehicle drivers.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Fay Jones MP

 

24th May 2023

Dear [xxxxx],

Thank you for your letter regarding the Government’s proposed ban on the sale of new internal combustion engines, and for your time in my weekly surgery last month.  It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to talk over this important issue with you in person.

As I made clear, I am extremely sympathetic to your points, and I do believe the Government has to ensure riders’ views are taken into account when deciding on time scales.  You are entirely right that, regardless of other arguments around electric vehicles, the availability of charge points is fundamental to their success, and I have made clear to ministers that I will not stand by and watch any environmental policy impact on our town’s vital tourist trade if enough charging points are not in place.  It is important that we don’t move faster than is appropriate and necessary.

The report you have provided me with is certainly interesting reading.  Environmental benefits should never be forced through regardless of the cost, and instead a sensible, well-thought-out cost/benefit analysis should be made.  As a Conservative, I of course have no desire to raise taxes unless absolutely necessary, but your analysis around potential lost tax revenue is well-considered, and I have privately raised this with the Chancellor’s team.

I appreciate that you have raised with me seven important questions, and while of course this letter and our discussion is a strong expression of sympathy with your case, it is important to emphasise the constant flexibility of the British Parliament is always an advantage in any political goal, and future Parliaments will be attentive to the needs of their times.

I would stress that the Government is currently considering responses to its consultation as to when the UK should stop selling new non-zero emission L-category vehicles, such as motorcycles, and I am confident that they will listen to concerns raised by groups such as MAG and consider well the report that you have raised.

As for MAG’s press release, please feel free to include the following quotation: “Motorcycles will continue to play a fundamental role in addressing our country’s transport and traffic issues, reducing congestion and providing a valuable, considered alternative to cars.  The Government’s net zero aims are laudable, but it is absolutely vital that they work with riders’ groups, including the Motorcycle Action Group, to ensure that riders’ views are held front and centre.  I look forward to the outcome of the Government’s consultation on the timeline.”

Yours sincerely,

Damien Moore MP

12th May 2023

Dear […],

Thank you for your letter on the use of petrol motorcycles. Please accept my apologies for the delay in my response. I am sorry to read of your concerns and please be assured that they have been carefully noted and understood.

I have duly written to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero with the points that you raise to seek a full ministerial response that I can share with you. I will be in touch as soon as I receive the response which I hope will address your concerns in full.

With kind regards,

Caroline 

 

Caroline Ansell MP

7th March 2023

Dear […],

Thank you for taking the time to get in touch to share your concerns. The Government believes that the transition to zero-emission vehicles will help us meet our climate change obligations, however, I do not think this is the be-all and end-all solution to our energy and climate problems.

Whilst Electric Vehicles are better for the environment than fuel-powered cars, and it is right that we transition away from fossil fuels eventually, we can’t transition on the cheap and I think serious consideration needs to be given to the scale of investment that’s needed to create green industries, especially in held-back regions like the North.

More generally, in my view, in order to reduce emissions, we need to be investing in renewable energy sources. Many experts, civil society groups and trade unions have advocated that green technologies should be introduced, along with changes such as boosts to public transport infrastructure and properly insulating homes, as part of a just transition and Green New Deal.

As the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) reported this April – investments in renewable energy, create more jobs than fossil fuels.

Thank you again for getting in touch to share your thoughts on this important matter. I will continue to bear in mind the points you have raised.

Yours sincerely

Jon Trickett MP

 

8th March 2023

Dear […]

 

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns on the petrol and diesel

ban, and electric vehicles.

 

It is important that we as a country take action to tackle climate

change to help mitigate its effects, which include flooding, costal

erosion and other issues caused by extreme weather. To play our part in

tackling this global issue, the UK aims to eliminate our contribution to

climate change and achieve net zero by 2050.

 

Motorcycles can make a significant contribution to addressing our

country’s transport and traffic issues. Indeed, they can reduce

congestion and represent an affordable alternative to the car,

delivering independence and mobility as well as broadening employment

opportunities. The Government is investing in a plug-in motorcycle grant

scheme, which is available for eligible zero emission motorcycles and

mopeds across the UK.

 

Subject to consultation, all new motorcycles will have to be fully zero

emissions at the tailpipe by 2035. I am assured that the Government will

continue to support the transition with a package of financial and

non-financial incentives. The Government recently sought opinions as to

when the UK should stop selling new non-zero emission L-category

vehicles, such as motorcycles, and I look forward to their response in

due course.

 

Bringing forward the end the sale of petrol and diesel cars and vans to

2030 and increasing the use of electric vehicles will play a crucial

role in helping the UK to hit this ambitious, legally binding target. I

want to assure you that the Government is putting in place the

infrastructure to facilitate the accelerated transition to electric

vehicles – including public chargepoints, residential on-street

chargepoints as well as rapid and smart chargepoints.

 

I welcome that the Government is investing £3.5 billion to support the

automotive sector and consumers in the transition to zero emissions

vehicles. This includes: £1 billion of Government investment to support

the electrification of UK vehicles and their supply chains; £620

million for targeted electric vehicle grants and infrastructure; and

£275 million to extend support for charge point installation at homes,

workplaces and on-street locations.

 

So far, government funding, alongside private sector investment, has

supported the installation of more than 32,000 public electric vehicle

charging devices, including over 6,000 rapid chargepoints – one of the

largest networks in Europe. But there is much more to do. That is why I

am glad that consumers will soon be able to compare costs across

charging networks in a recognisable format similar to pence per litre

for fuel and there will be new standards to ensure reliable charging for

electric vehicle drivers.

 

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.

 

Matt Warman MP

7th March 2023

 

Dear […],

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 then Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced 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. This target has the support of both the Government and the Opposition.

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 it is true that 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.

I agree with the 2030 and 2035 targets. In my view, decarbonising our transport sector is one of the most pressing challenges that we face as a nation, and we need more ambition and more action from this Government if we are to meet net zero. Nevertheless, I respect that you have a different view and I hope that 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 also set out a credible plan as to how this will be done. Such a plan should, in my view, prioritise the creation of low-carbon jobs and industries and it must ensure that communities are properly supported as we make the transition to a greener economy.

More widely, I recognise that it is important for motorcyclists that roads are kept in a good condition. In my view, the Department for Transport should be doing more to ensure that this is the case.

Thank you once again for contacting me about this issue.
 
Best wishes
Jonathan

Jonathan Reynolds MP

Member of Parliament for Stalybridge and Hyde
Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Industrial Strategy

 

2nd March 2023

Hello […]

As a keen motorcyclist in my younger days, I fully understand the importance of motorcycling for both commuting and leisure, as well as the sense of community that it can establish with fellow motorcyclists.  

Operation Earthquake and the work of MAG, highlights the concerns of motorcyclists for an approach that needs to be affordable, realistic, and reasonable.  The practicalities of reducing exhaust emissions and increasing the charging infrastructure represent positive ambitions for government and industry, but the buy-in of the motorcycle community will be crucial to the success of any policy.

Mark Jenkinson MP

 

3rd March 2023

 

Dear […],

Further to our correspondence, please find attached the response I have received from the Department for Transport.

Kind regards,
 

Damian Collins MP

24th February 2023

 

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Dear Damian,

Thank you for your email of 30 January to Mark Harper, enclosing correspondence from your constituent, […] of […] regarding the Government’s plans to phase out the sale of new petrol motorcycles.  I am replying as the Minister responsible for this issue.

 

The Government held a consultation seeking views on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission L-Category vehicles (motorbikes and mopeds) between July to September this year.  The consultation sought views on ending the sale of all non-zero emission L-Category vehicles by 2035, and by 2030 for L-Category vehicles in certain specified subcategories.  The Department is now analysing the responses, including the response from the Motorcycle Action Group (MAG) that your constituent references and with whom the Department has been engaging.  A full response will be published in due course, taking the wide-ranging views on this issue into consideration.

 

The Government’s net zero commitment requires all sectors of our economy, including transport, to play a part and deliver substantial cuts to emissions to end the UK’s contribution to climate change.  In 2020, our transport network was responsible for almost one quarter of the UK’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with L-category vehicles responsible for 0.4% of this total.  While cars and vans vastly outnumber motorcycles on UK roads, motorcycles are an important and sizeable vehicle population, with around 1.3 million licensed for road use in 2021.  Decarbonisation of the whole of the UK’s road transport sector is crucial to ensure that the UK is able meet legally binding carbon reduction targets.  The Government has already announced end of sale dates for other new non-zero emission road vehicles, including cars, vans and HGVs.  The proposed end of sales dates positions the UK as a world leader in L-category decarbonisation, driving innovation and creating a market for zero emission L-Category vehicles.

 

More widely, I note that your constituent draws attention to the recently published report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) on the transition to zero emission driving.  The Government’s view is that the report’s conclusions, specifically the costings for new vehicle purchases, the time taken to charge electric vehicles (EVs) and the distribution of EV infrastructure, are not in line with the current evidence base and standard methodologies used across the industry.

 

The Climate Chang Committee is an independent, statutory body, which advises the UK and the devolved governments on emissions targets, recommended that the UK goes faster on curtailing emissions from road transport.  This will help reduce the harmful air pollutants in the UK’s towns and cities, save motorists money and help to safeguard the environment.  Therefore, the transition to zero emission vehicles is a must if the UK is to meet its legally binding climate change obligations.  The Government’s end of sales dates of different internal combustion engine (ICE) road vehicles are an important aspect of that ambition.

 

All the latest evidence that the Government is currently aware of indicates that the lifetime carbon footprint of a battery electric car or van is significantly less than that of an equivalent petrol or diesel electric car or van today.  The Department commissioned Ricardo Energy & Environment to produce a UK specific lifecycle analysis for greenhouse gas emissions of cars, vans, buses, and heavy goods vehicles with different powertrains.  The analysis strongly supports the Government’s strategy of increasing electrification for decarbonising road transport and maximising the use of renewable energy.  The report can be found at www.gov.uk/government/publications/lifecycle-analysis-of-uk-road-vehicles.

 

Regarding your constituents’ question on future tax regimes, the Government has committed to keeping the transition to electric vehicles affordable for consumers.  The Government keeps all taxes under review and the Chancellor is responsible for setting tax rates, including vehicle excise duty and company car tax rates.

 

I can assure your constituent that the Government has a clear plan to implement its ambitious ICE phase out dates.  In July 202, DfT published its 2035 Delivery Plan for transitioning to zero emission cars and vans and its Transport Decarbonisation Plan, which set out the Government’s commitments and the actions needed to decarbonize the entire transport system in the UK.

 

Turning to Mr […]’s comments on charging, the smallest L-category vehicles have detachable batteries, which can be charged on a three-pin plug, making them more suited to being charged in the home or office.  However, there are now over 36,000 public chargepoints available in the UK and the Government is committed to working with the industry to accelerate the pace of rollout.

 

To future proof new homes, the Government published world leading legislation, which requires new homes and those undergoing major renovation with associated parking in England to have a chargepoint installed.  These regulations will lead to the installation of up to 145,000 new chargepoints across England every year.

 

The Government also recognises that not all drivers and riders will have access to off-street parking, but this new legislation also requires new non-residential buildings and those undergoing major renovation, such as shops and workplaces, to have charging infrastructure installed at the point of construction.  The Future of Transport Regulatory Review, which closed on 22nd November 2021, sought views on the Government seeking powers to require a minimum level of EV charging infrastructure in existing non-residential car parks and new standalone plot car parks.  The consultation is currently being analysed and the Government will publish its response in due course.

 

Yours ever,

 

Rt Hon Jesse Norman MP

 

Minister of State for Transport

 

23rd February 2023

Forwarded letter from Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

 

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Dear Gillian,

Thank you for your email of 19^th January, enclosing correspondence from your constituent, [….] of [….], regarding the report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) published on 10^th October 2022 about the Government’s plans to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030.

The Government’s view is that the CEBR report’s conclusions, specifically the costings for new vehicle purchases, the time taken to charge electric vehicles (EVs) and the distribution of EV infrastructure, are not in line with the current evidence base and standard methodologies used across the industry.  In particular, the costs of new electric cars are already falling, with many manufacturers already offering increasingly affordable models.

Road vehicles currently represent 91% of UK domestic transport emissions and cars and vans represent one fifth of UK domestic CO2 emissions.  Taking action to tackle these emissions is a priority, as such, the transition to zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs) is a must if the UK is to meet its legally binding climate change obligations.  The Government’s target for 2030 is an important aspect of that ambition.

The Climate Change Committee recommended that the UK goes faster on curtailing emissions from road transport.  This will help reduce the harmful air pollutants in our towns and cities, save motorists money and help to safeguard the environment.  The Government’s support for industry and incentives for EVs will help cement the UK’s leading position in the design, manufacture, and use of ZEVs.  This in turn will provide economic opportunities by stimulating employment, investment and exports.

I understand Mr […]’s concern about that taxation implications the CEBR report sites for the transition to electric transport.  In July 2021 the Department for Transport (DfT) published its Transport Decarbonisation Plan (TDP), with 78 commitments setting transport on an ambitious path to net zero by 2050.  The move to zero emissions cars, vans and scooters is responsible for the largest carbon savings in the plan.

The TDP recognises that accelerating the modal shift towards public transport and active travel is imperative.  Therefore, it is the first of DfT’s six strategic priorities to delivering a net zero transport sector.  In future we will use our cars differently and less often, with new technology helping reduce our carbon footprint.  This links closely with the fifth strategic priority supporting place-based solutions to emission reductions, reforming how local transport infrastructure is funded to drive decarbonisation at a local level.

I want to reassure Mr […] that the Government remains technology neutral in how we reach our zero emission commitments – providing that the technologies are truly zero emission at the exhaust, and it will continue to support drivers to make the switch to cleaner vehicles.

Thank you again for taking the time to write.  I hope this response is helpful.

 

Yours ever

Grant Shapps

RT HON GRANT SHAPPS MP

Secretary of State for Energy Security & Net Zero

 

February 2023