Electric motorbikes and mopeds will soon become the norm on UK roads as the government has set out a range of measures to mark a year of success since the Transport Decarbonisation Plan was introduced.
The plan set out the UK’s world leading 'greenprint' to create cleaner air, healthier communities and tens of thousands of new green jobs across the UK. The progress one year on today shows almost 7500 extra electric vehicle chargepoints have been installed,
supporting the 900,000 green vehicles that are on UK roads, and over 130 new walking and cycling schemes have been funded. The production of zero emission vehicles alone has the potential to support 72,000 green jobs worth up to £9.7 billion in gross value added by 2050.
To mark its one year anniversary, the government is launching a new public consultation to accelerate the transition to zero emission travel by phasing out the sale of new fossil fuelled motorbikes and moped by 2035, or even earlier for some vehicles.
A further public consultation, Course to Zero, is being launched seeking views on the best route to net zero emissions by 2050 for the UK’s domestic maritime sector. This will help inform the government’s future actions to achieve decarbonisation across the UK's vital domestic shipping industry.
Helena Bennett, head of climate policy at Green Alliance, said: ‘The Transport Decarbonisation Plan laid ambitious foundations for the sector to begin its transition to net zero after 30 years in which emissions have stayed largely unchanged. It is promising to see delivery of some of the plan’s goals begin including announcements on a zero emission vehicle mandate and phase out of polluting HGVs, but there is more to be done to keep the sector on track with climate targets, and it is more important than ever, given the cost of living crisis, that boosts to public transport and walk and cycling infrastructure are prioritised.’
The government is also aiming to improve health and make walking and cycling the natural first choice for shorter journeys and has published its second Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy. It sets out estimated investment, already committed from various funds, of almost £4 billion into active travel across the Government until 2025, including £2 billion announced for active travel in 2020. This investment will deliver measures including high quality walking and cycling routes, safer road junctions, cycle training and a Walk to School Outreach initiative.