BEIS Committee Chair Rachel Reeves calls for clarity on ‘effectively zero’ emission target after session on electric vehicles

Following this morning’s evidence session with Business and Industry Minister Richard Harrington on electric vehicles, Rachel Reeves, Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee, said: “The Government has pledged that all new cars and vans should be ‘effectively zero’ emission by 2040, but rather worryingly the Minister was unable to properly explain what this means.

Motor manufacturers have to make important decisions on technology and investment and need clarity on the meaning of ‘effectively zero’ and what they will be allowed to sell. We’re still waiting for the Government’s promised Road to Zero strategy to eliminate emissions from road transport but from the words of the Minister today it would seem that zero does not mean zero.”

Rachel Reeves’ questions to Business and Industry Minister Richard Harrington can be viewed here.

Notes to editors

The Prime Minister announced on 21 May that all new cars and vans should be ‘effectively zero’ emission by 2040.