MPs call for 'clear target' to ban new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2032

A ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans should be brought forward by eight years to 2032 to encourage the take-up of electric vehicles , MPs (BSE: MPSLTD.BO - news) have said.

Under current plans, the government's goal is for all new cars and vans to be "effectively zero-emission" by 2040.

But the parliamentary business committee warned that the government's targets were "vague and unambitious" and criticised cuts to subsidies as well as the lack of charging points.

The 2040 target puts the UK behind a range of countries including Norway, which is aiming for an end to combustion engine cars in 2025, and India, China, the Netherlands and Ireland (Other OTC: IRLD - news) with a 2030 goal and Scotland with a target of 2032.

A clear UK target is needed for new cars and vans to be "truly zero-emission" - and it should be brought forward to 2032 to make the UK a world leader, not left in the passenger seat on electric vehicle (EV) development, the MPs said.

The committee criticised the government for leaving delivery of a national charging network to local authorities and private companies, and called for regulations to provide an extensive, reliable and standardised public system.

Committee chairwoman Rachel Reeves said: "The government cannot simply will the ends and leave local government, or private companies, to deliver the means.

"The government needs to get a grip and lead on co-ordinating the financial support and technical know-how necessary for local authorities to promote this infrastructure and help ensure that electric cars are an attractive option for consumers."

Ministers also came under fire in the report for the recently announced "sudden and substantial cuts" to grants for plug-in vehicles, and the committee calls for current levels of support to be maintained.

With (Other OTC: WWTH - news) grants and tax incentives on electric cars mostly only available to wealthier drivers, more creative support should be explored so all motorists can benefit from EVs, such as car clubs and the second-hand market.

Ms Reeves said: "Electric (Brussels: BE0941746704.BR - news) vehicles are increasingly popular, and present exciting opportunities for the UK to develop an internationally competitive EV industry and reduce our carbon emissions.

"But, for all the rhetoric of the UK becoming a world leader in EVs, the reality is that the government's deeds do not match the ambitions of their words."

RAC (Taiwan OTC: 2237.TWO - news) head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: "We understand the rationale behind wanting to bring forward the end of the sale of conventionally fuelled vehicles to 2032, but this would have to be matched with bold and decisive action from the government that actually makes hitting the new date possible.

"There are still significant barriers that are putting drivers off alternatively fuelled vehicles - these include the upfront cost, access to charging infrastructure, and ease and time to charge a vehicle."

But industry body Energy UK's chief executive Lawrence Slade said: "We firmly support the Committee's call for greater ambition and believe that an accelerated timetable for the rollout of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is both desirable and feasible."

A government spokesman said: "Our Road to Zero Strategy outlined our ambition for the UK to be the best place in the world to build and own an electric vehicle.

"As part of this, we want between 50% and 70% of new car sales to be ultra low emission by 2030, and for all new cars and vans to be effectively zero emission by 2040.

"And we also outlined measures to bring forward a major uplift in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, paving the way for the widespread adoption of ultra-low emission vehicles."