The UK government has published its Transport Decarbonisation Plan this week.
The plan provides a ‘green print’ to cut emissions from the travel and transportation sector, and reach net-zero by 2050.
This plan includes the phasing out of new diesel and petrol heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) sales by 2040.
This is combined with the 2035 phase-out date for polluting cars and vans.
The government has already spent £2 billion on promoting cycling and walking, and £2.8 billion to support motorists to make the switch to cleaner vehicles.
The proposal sets out a 2035 phase-out date for vehicles weighing from 3.5-26 tonnes, and 2040 for vehicles weighing more than 26 tonnes.
This may be a challenge considering there are currently 525,000 licensed heavy goods vehicles in the UK.
Comment
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps stated:
“The Transport Decarbonisation Plan is just the start – we will need continued efforts and collaboration to deliver its ambitious commitments, which will ultimately create sustainable economic growth through healthier communities as we build back greener.”
Gordon Balmer, Petrol Retailers Association executive director described the announcement as “optimistic but completely unrealistic”.
RHA Chief Executive, Richard Burnett said:
“This proposal as it stands is unrealistic. He stated, “These alternative HGVs don’t yet exist – we don’t know when they will and what they will cost.”
However, those in the HGV community haven’t taken the latest announcement so well. With a lack of guidance and clear detail, many feel they have still been left in the dark.
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UK Transport Decarbonisation Plan