The Government’s technology advisory body has called for it to fast-track the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by five years to 2035 before completely banning privately-owned vehicles from the road.
The report published this week, called Clean Growth: Technologies for meeting the UK’s emissions reduction targets, has set out a range of measures for the Government to introduce in a bid to clean up the nation’s dirty air.
The Science and Technology Select Committee warned that technology alone cannot solve the problem of greenhouse gas emissions from transport.
It says the government cannot achieve sufficient emissions cuts by swapping existing vehicles for cleaner versions.
In its report, the committee said: “In the long-term, widespread personal vehicle ownership does not appear to be compatible with significant decarbonisation.”
The government said it would consider the committee’s findings.
“Giving up on emerging science and technology”
AA president Edmund King said the report was ‘giving up on emerging science and technology,’ like the rapid development of electric cars.
He said: “Technology is developing at a rapid rate with great potential from more efficient electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
“More emphasis should be going into renewable energy and greener vehicle production rather than higher fuel duty or banning hybrids as the report recommends.
“The fastest growth in traffic is by vans due to internet deliveries so more technological effort should be put into decarbonising that sector, as a priority.”
Still a need for cars
According to a new AA survey polling over 18,000 UK drivers, 44 per cent said they’d not give up their car even if the government did offer improved incentives to use public transport, walk and cycle.
Around a third said they might consider giving up their motors within 20 years.
Edmund added: “Our latest research also shows 27 per cent of AA members have their used their car in the past 12 months to take themselves, their children or relatives to hospital A&E departments.
“People still want the flexibility and reassurance of their own car.
“The car will be around for a while so more concerted efforts should be made in enhancing and promoting the latest cleaner, greener technology rather than sounding the death knell on personal car ownership.”
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