Stephen Marcos Jones, Director-General of UKPIA
said:
“The announcement today
(4th February 2020)
that the government plans to bring forward an end to the
sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles from 2040 to
2035 threatens the opportunity to pursue a low-carbon
strategy in the UK that embraces all technologies. The UK
Government risks the progress we have made in reducing our
emissions by ‘picking winners’, instead of allowing for consumer
choice and technological development – including low-carbon
liquid fuels in ICE and hybrid vehicles – to lead the way in
decarbonising our society.
Electric vehicles will have an increasingly important role
to play in the future of our transport system, however, if we are
to meet the target of ‘Net Zero’ emissions by 2050 we need to
focus on the ends and not the means. That must include
recognising that ICE and hybrid vehicles are part of the
long-term solution to decarbonisation, playing a fundamental role
in lowering emissions now, through enhanced vehicle efficiency
and the use of low carbon liquid fuels.
The downstream oil sector will continue to play a major
role in the UK’s energy transition. We will work with the UK
government to ensure that this vital area of public policy is
driven by rigorous, evidence-based outcomes to help secure
practicable, low-carbon liquid fuel solutions to the country’s
future transport and energy needs.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
The UK Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA) represent
eight oil refining and marketing companies that operate the six
major oil refineries in the UK and source over 85% of the
transport fuels used. UKPIA members also own around 1,250 of the
UK’s 8,476 filling stations in the UK.
