Labour has called on the government to end the sale of new petrol, diesel, and hybrid cars and vans by 2030. The party argues the move will help create jobs, cut carbon emissions, and reduce air pollution.
In a letter to the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, Labour shadow ministers call for an ambitious plan for a rapid transition to zero-emissions vehicles.
Labour’s calls for a 2030 date has been backed by the independent Committee on Climate Change, which made clear in June that the phase-out date must be brought forward to “2032 at the latest” if the UK is to meet its legally-binding 2050 net-zero emissions target.
Labour points to studies suggesting that the manufacturing of batteries to replace internal combustion engines alone would boost direct employment in the automotive industry from about 170,000 jobs today to as many as 220,000 by 2040.
Labour’s shadow minister for climate change Matthew Pennycook MP said:
“2030 is an ambitious but achievable date by which to phase out the sale of new petrol, diesel, and hybrid vehicles, one that would give a new lease of life to the UK car industry, whilst combatting climate breakdown and cleaning up the air that dangerously pollutes so many of our towns and cities.
“But as well as accelerating the phase out, the Government must also set out a credible plan to get there – one that backs the low-carbon jobs and industries of the future and ensures that workers and communities are properly supported in the transition to a fairer and cleaner economy.
“It’s time for Ministers to seize this opportunity as part of a world-leading green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, creating good jobs across the country, and generating real momentum for next year’s COP26 climate summit.”
