The government ought to do much more to increase electric charging in the UK to help meet 2040 targets, according to the minister in charge of low emission vehicles.
John Hayes, minister of state at the department for Transport, told car express that his team would do much more to support facilities projects, as well as continue to back the Plug-in automobile grant in a bid to achieve a target of seeing every new automobile offered in 2040 delivering zero emissions.
Advertisement – short article continues below

• best electric cars and trucks on sale
“I’m identified to do all we can to make it much more attractive to those who run and use electric cars,” Hayes said. “The government needs to help and ought to do more. It’s essential the government knows what it can do to facilitate and not be inhibitive.”
Hayes believes that is a essential point in the development of the modern deliver Bill, which he expects to be before Parliament as early as next year. “It should create the best context so the technology can be all it can be,” Hayes explained. “We should support the facilities that will let the industry grow.”
And growth is currently fast in the UK, ranking as the second-quickest broadening plug-in hybrid market globally – only behind Spain – and registering 54 consecutive months of sales increases. The Go Ultra low event where Hayes was speaking revealed the impact company cars and trucks could have in assisting plug-in uptake. An estimated 69 per cent of motorists said they’d choose an EV if their employer provided one on the scheme.
Currently many company cars and trucks are diesels, but the fuel again came under scrutiny as part of a recent High Court pollution ruling, with ideas a scrappage scheme or city pollution tax could be introduced on them.
However, Hayes said he would be against banning certain cars to help cut pollution. “We’re committed that we will deal with emissions,” he added. “I don’t want to downside motorists or cities by banning access – I’m concerned about that. You have got to think of economic opportunity.”
Do you think the government can do much more to meet emissions targets? let us know below…