RAC reaction to Net Zero strategy

RAC head of policy Nicholas Lyes said: “Despite a depressed overall new car market, the growth in the uptake of electric vehicles is impressive, but that doesn’t mean that incentives to get more people to go electric should stop. Making EVs more affordable for the majority of UK drivers – and thus kick-starting mass EV adoption – starts with enough new vehicles being sold in the first place, so continuing the plug-in car grant and ensuring charging infrastructure is the very best it can be are both vitally important.

“But the switch to Net Zero may also affect drivers in other ways. The suggestion that road vehicle occupancy needs to increase by 2030 could be a tough message to sell to drivers, especially in light of the coronavirus. A focus on encouraging drivers to combine journeys, and investigate alternatives for their shortest trips, might be a more straightforward path to follow.”