Jack Cousens, a Roads Policy spokesman for the AA says: "The
ambition to stop the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2040
is a step in the right direction. But there are plenty of factors
that need to be addressed along the way.
"In driving motorists towards electric vehicles questions will
now focus on if the National Grid could cope with a mass
switch-on after the evening rush hour.
"There will also need to be a significant investment in order to
install charging points across the country, especially
fast-charge points so drivers can top up their vehicles within
half an hour."
Cousens continues "Affordability will also play a key role in
achieving this ambition. Buying a car is an important financial
decision, and families on low incomes will need government
assistance and incentives to make the change to electric
vehicles.
"We are pleased to see that a scrappage scheme could form part of
the solution in convincing drivers to switch to greener vehicles.
A recent AA survey found that three quarters of drivers support
such a measure.
"Eight out of 10 drivers say they want clean air, but they are
sceptical that, should Clean Air Zones be implemented in cities
across the UK, they would be introduced fairly as car drivers are
not the only source of air pollution.
"Clean Air Zones should be the port of last resort, rather than
the position of first response."
