I understand your concerns, and as with all policy suggestions, I will pass along your thoughts so they can be adequately discussed.
I believe an important part of the transport debate is the necessity of securing great public transport alternatives that everyone can use. This is great for the environment, cheaper for consumers and practical. We should also look at encouraging active travel wherever possible. As we move away from diesel and petrol vehicles, these points should not be lost.
Thank you very much for your email of 31 January about petrol and diesel cars, and I appreciate you taking the trouble to get in touch.
As part of an ambitious ten point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, the Government plans to bring forward to 2030 the date at which sales of new petrol and diesel cars will end, following extensive consultation with car manufacturers and sellers.
This ban 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.
I have written on your behalf to the Transport Secretary to raise your particular concerns, and I will let you know as soon as I have a reply.
Catherine West MP: Labour – Hornsey and Wood Green
Dear [….],
Thank you very much for writing to me, and I hope you are well.
I understand your concerns about the government’s proposed ban on the sale of new petrol motorcycles.
The Committee on Climate Change has stated that the UK is “way off track” on meeting its own carbon emissions targets in the 2020s and 2030s. In addition, the Government is even further off track on their Paris climate change agreement commitments, to which we must adhere to if we are to have a chance of avoiding the catastrophic impacts of climate change. Transport is the worst performing sector of the economy, as it accounts for a third of all carbon dioxide emissions and is the UK’s largest source of greenhouse gas. 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.
More than 99.9% of peer-reviewed scientific papers agree that climate change is mainly caused by humans, according to a 2021 survey of 88,125 climate-related studies. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) has found that emissions from fossil fuels are the dominant cause of global warming. This is fact and needs to be taken seriously.
I agree with the 2030 and 2035 targets, and believe the Government could do more to reduce emissions. 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.
I believe we must decarbonise road transport by transitioning to electric vehicles and decarbonising the production of electricity on which these vehicles rely. Reducing vehicle miles travelled on roads and switching to electric would also address poor air quality, which is the largest environmental risk to public health in the UK.
The Government should understand that its failure to invest now will have damaging long-term economic, social and environmental costs. I firmly believe that the climate crisis and air pollution crisis requires bold and immediate action, which is not forthcoming from the Government.
I appreciate you disagree with my response, but I hope you can understand my views.
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. 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.
On motorcycles specifically, these 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.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
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.
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. 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 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.
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.
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.
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. The Government is also investing in a plug-in motorcycle grant scheme, which is available for eligible zero emission motorcycles and mopeds across the UK.
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.
In regards to your specific concerns, I have written to the Minister and asked them to look into the issues that you raised. I will, of course, let you know as soon as I receive a response.
In the meantime, if you have any further enquiries on this or any other matter, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Thank you very much for contacting me about government proposals on the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles in the future, and motorcycles in particular.
I have written to the Department for Transport to raise the points you make on your behalf. I recognise the importance that motorbikes have for many people.
I understand that the Department for Transport (DfT) has proposed that from 2030 there would be a ban on the sale of all new non-zero emission mopeds, and low performance motorcycles and scooters up to 125cc and 11kW.
It is also proposing that the sale of all medium- and high-powered motorcycles would be banned from 2035 (or earlier if feasible).
The current situation appears to be that the government has carried out a public consultation on its proposals which closed on 21 September 2022 and the DfT is currently analysing the results.
I take careful note of the economic and environmental arguments you make regarding a transition to electric vehicles. These are government proposals and as a Labour MP I will only make some general points about the debate as Labour is developing its own plans for transport.
Whilst electric vehicles are not a magic solution to tackling carbon emissions from transport, the independent Office for Climate Change argues that they are definitely a key part of the answer.
Transport is the sector of the UK economy that emits the highest emissions, so any plan to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions overall would clearly need to cut transport emissions significantly.
Emissions from cars and taxis make up around 55% of transport emissions so they would necessarily be the focus within transport, whilst motorcycle emissions account for a relatively much smaller percentage of total transport emissions at 0.4%.
Your plan to encourage people to move away from car use deserves consideration. One element of that is investment in sustainable public transport which I think is very important.
I was pleased to see that in March 2021 the Liverpool City Region announced the roll out of a new fleet of hydrogen-powered buses. That followed the approval of a new franchise model to bring bus services under greater public control, as well as the introduction of new £2 fares to reduce the cost of travel.
I would just point out though that the Office of Climate Change sees both the transition to the use of electric vehicles and a major shift towards the use of sustainably powered public transport as essential to tackle climate change, rather than alternatives.
I take note of what you say about the current cost of buying and using an electric vehicle, the time taken to charge a vehicle, the need to develop the charging network, the life span of batteries and the way that metals to make them are mined.
You are quite right that all of those issues need to be addressed. We also can’t be certain of what future work-life patterns will be as the pandemic and the current energy crisis has distorted so much of what we formerly took for granted.
Nevertheless, it is likely that people will continue to want to drive for all sorts of reasons, such as to take someone to hospital or to get a weekly shop for example, even if they work from home.
The Office of Climate Change highlights in its latest report that ‘almost all major manufacturers have now committed to transitioning their supply chains to focus on EVs’, and ‘that EVs are progressing towards mass-market appeal’.
There is increasing awareness that this is a health issue as well as an economic and environmental one. Whilst levels of air pollution in UK towns and cities have fallen over the longer term, they are still unacceptably high.
Thank you once again for raising this issue with me and sharing with me the contributions of the Motorcycle Action Group to the debate. I do appreciate that there will be costs involved in the transition to electric vehicles and that the government has not done enough to develop the infrastructure that will be needed.
Nevertheless, there are opportunities as well for the creation of new skilled jobs and to improve public health at the same time as tackling climate change. I will be interested to read the response from the Department of Transport to my letter and I will pass that on to you.
I would be happy to meet with you at my constituency office; my office manager will contact you to make arrangements.
Kevin Hollinrake MP: Conservative – Thirsk and Malton
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.
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.
While I support all efforts to tackle climate change, we need to make sure the solutions we find are practical before we discard previous technology and close other avenues of research. Having ambitious targets and cut off dates can be useful, but in this area I believe that the Government need to be more flexible and consider the points being raised by MAG and others.
Thank you again for giving me your thoughts.
Kind regards,
Jason McCartney MP
12th January 2023
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