Transport for South East calls for action plan on meeting carbon net zero target

EM3 has joined local government and business leaders across the South East to call for a targeted action plan to encourage the switch to electric cars so the UK can meet its carbon net zero targets.

As part of Transport for the South East, which brings together the region’s local authorities, business groups and other key partners, EM3 is calling for the creation of a task force from across government, the automotive industry and consumer groups to oversee the development and implementation of the action plan in response to the government's current consultation on bringing forward from 2040 to 2035 or earlier the ban on new petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles.

Tackling climate change through supporting Clean Growth strategies sits at the heart of EM3's approach for the region. In 2019 the LEP partnered with neighbouring LEPs to create the South2East Energy Strategy and Clean Growth remains a major theme of EM3's developing Economic Recovery and Renewal Plan  which will play a role in the region's post-COVID-19 economic recovery.

Transport for the South East has also put forward a series of measures to enable the UK to successfully meet the target, including:

• Financial incentives to encourage people and businesses to make the switch to electric vehicles, including changes to vehicle excise duty
• Research and development grants to help the car industry shift production to zero emission vehicles
• Improved charging infrastructure for electric car users and further funding for research into the establishment of a hydrogen distribution network
• Government to lead by example, ensuring zero-emission fleets across central and local government well before the proposed end date to help drive demand
• Clear, consistent and effective advice for consumers on fuel and technology choices
• Continued research into smart charging to lessen the potential burden of electric vehicles on the national electricity grid and ensure the UK electricity system is not a blocker to rapid take-up of electric vehicles
• Support the roll-out of electric vehicles through the planning system, with electric charging points in all new housing development, new streetlights and off-street parking facilities.

Cllr Keith Glazier, chair of Transport for the South East, said:

Transport for the South East has also called for a package of financial support to help lower income households make the switch to electric vehicles – which have higher up-front costs than comparable petrol and diesel models – and benefit from their lower running costs.

The introduction of financing options and the development of a second-hand market with support for battery refit costs and warranty guarantees would help overcome some of the existing barriers to electric vehicle ownership.Cllr Glazier continued: