UK commits to zero-emission transport by 2050

By 2050, all new cars sold in the UK must be emissions-free, under an ambitious accord signed by a combination of 13 countries and US states at the United Nations climate change conference in Paris this month.

With Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and others, the UK has agreed to promote greener motoring and transport and increase the sales of zero emissions vehicles as fast as possible; to the point where every vehicle sold has zero emissions by 2050.

There will be continued incentives and subsidies for motorists buying greener and zero-emissions cars, such as electric vehicles, and more tax breaks and grants for companies and manufacturers investing in and developing zero-emissions technology.

The UK already has the largest market for ultra-low emission vehicles in the EU, and the fourth largest in the world, and today’s pledge reaffirms our commitment to ensuring almost every car and van is a zero emission vehicle by 2050,” said Transport Minister Andrew Jones.

“Electric cars are greener and cheaper to run and we are making them more affordable, spending more than £600m between 2015 and 2020 to support the uptake and manufacturing of ultra-low emission vehicles here in the UK”

Only 9% of motorists buying a car in the next three years would consider an electric or hybrid model, a survey of 27,662 AA members found.