EV: UK government advised to bring forward target to 2030

The UK government is being urged to advance its ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 10 years. 

The current policy, which is set to come into force in 2040, will not be stringent enough for the electric vehicle (EV) market to reach its full potential and help meet climate targets, government advisers say.

New research expects the cost of electric cars to be on par with that of petrol or diesel vehicles by as soon as 2024. However, the rate of installing EV charging points will also have to radically improve to cope with the growing consumer demand, according to a soon-to-be published report by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC).

Under the existing plan, all new cars and vans sold in the UK must be ‘zero emissions’ from 2040. But critics of the proposal say petrol and diesel vehicles sold before that date will therefore still be driven on roads beyond 2050.

If the UK is to meet its climate targets, carbon emissions from all sources should be reduced to zero by the middle of the century. As a result, the CCC will recommend 2030 as a more feasible date for the ban.

How to improve EV charging infrastructure?

The committee has also warned the government that the installation of charging points is too slow. In 2017, the government passed the Automated and Electric Vehicles Act, including a regulation to ensure all charge points sold or installed are smart.

Up to three million public charge points – installed in public car parks, motorway service stations and workplaces – are set to be required by 2040 to meet demand, according to a recent study.

To achieve this, there are widespread calls for greater collaboration between government and industry to develop a comprehensive, strategic EV charging roadmap.

To this end, as an Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) accredited installer of EV charging points, a utility connections specialist and asset funder, SMS Plc is ready to play a pivotal role by working with both the private and public sector to deliver the required infrastructure.

Read our blog on Three ways to accelerate the EV revolution, including how UK businesses have a fantastic opportunity – and increasingly, a responsibility – to influence greater deployment of EVs.