Responding to the news that the Government proposes to bring forward the date for banning the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles to 2035, Energy UK’s interim chief executive, Audrey Gallacher, said:
“We welcome this move by the Government which we hope signals the start of an ambitious programme across government, in partnership with business, to enable us to reach net-zero by 2050 – something we think is not just achievable but that will bring huge benefits to the environment, the economy and to customers.
“Energy UK has long called for a 2035 date for the ban on the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles, with our members already delivering innovative tariffs and Electric Vehicle (EV) charging options to make the transition a positive experience for consumers.
“The UK power sector has been world-leading in reducing emissions and we stand ready to work together to help transform other sectors, like transport and heating, as well as our own. And we look forward to the forthcoming Energy White Paper and Budget where we hope to see measures that will allow the necessary innovation and investment to flow – and ensure that as a country we go further and faster towards Net Zero.”
Notes to Editors
- Energy UK has today published a document setting out: “14 Steps the Government can take in the Energy White Paper and Budget to support a net-zero economy by 2050.”
- Energy UK has been a member of the Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce – and led one of the workstreams – which last month published its report setting out 21 proposals for Government and industry to accelerate the mass take-up of electric vehicles. The Electric Vehicle Energy Taskforce was established in Autumn 2018 bringing together the energy, transport and infrastructure sectors to collaborate on ways to prepare the energy system for the electric vehicle revolution.