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EV 2030: Inside the UK’s Momentous Shift to Zero-Emissions

Holman Marketing
April 7, 2021

The United Kingdom and other global countries work to minimise the damage caused by climate change. The UK government has declared that it will be the first country in the G7 that will attempt to ban the sale of both petrol and diesel vehicles by the year 2030, with the goal of all vehicle sales being full zero-emission by 2035. This could significantly impact our fleet industry.

The announcement came as part of a series of green initiatives made by the government regarding UK vehicles. The UK has been working towards being one of the most innovative countries in the production of green energy since 2019, when it announced that the country would strive to be net-zero regarding greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050.

According to the UK, cars and vans make up 20 percent of domestic emissions, with cities across the country being hit hardest by emissions. The phase-out date for tailpipe emissions was initially set for 2040, but urgency took precedent and has seen it bumped up to 2030.

The new plan states that it will strive to end the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030. However, between the years 2030 and 2035, the government will allow the sale of “significant zero-emission capability,” a concept that they are working on fully fleshing out by the end of 2021 but could include plug-in hybrids.

The government announced a £2.8 billion investment in green vehicle initiatives in Nov 2020, including over 500 million in grants for zero and ultra-low emission vehicles and 1.3 billion in infrastructure installation for homes and businesses and public spaces.

Meanwhile, global auto manufacturers are adapting to these changes and preparing for the future. Volvo, Vauxhall, General Motors, Volkswagen, Jaguar Land Rover, and ultra-luxury manufacturer Aston Martin are all focusing on a shift to entirely electric in the next decade, with many manufacturers eyeing up the UK as the potential space for EV manufacturing.

This is part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s ten-point plan for a ‘green industrial revolution in the UK, which hopes to develop 250,000 green jobs and building initiatives while also moving the country toward a goal of being net zero. Point Four of the Green Industrial Revolution focuses entirely on zero-emission vehicles, while Point Five looks at green public transport and alternative transportation alternatives.

Transportation and zero-emission vehicles will continue to be a significant influencer in the country’s green focus: Are they as important in your business considerations?

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