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