Zero Emissions Vehicles to be the Norm by 2050

It's good-bye to fossil fuels. All brand new cars sold in Britain are on course to be zero-emissions by 2050, according to the latest agreement signed by the Government.

The UK was among the 13 international members of the Zero Emissions Vehicle Alliance during the Paris COP21 conference on climate change who agreed to promote cleaner motoring and slash transport emissions. This agreement means that, by the year 2050, all new cars sold in eight US states, and five countries including the United Kingdom must make zero tailpipe emissions.

In real terms this commits the Government to take action in having all passenger vehicle sales in the UK be zero emissions vehicles as fast as possible, and no later than 2050.

To achieve this a clear framework must be implemented. This would include incentives to purchase ZEVs, and the use of policies such as tax breaks and government grants to aid environmental objectives surrounding the technology.

The notes in the agreement further stipulate the Government will continue to plan and invest in ZEV infrastructure – be that hydrogen or electric vehicles – and implement policies that require the deployment of zero-emissions vehicles.

Other countries and states who also signed the agreement include The Netherlands, Germany, Norway and one of the leading US states on sustainability, California.

Experts believe accelerating ZEV deployment will achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions of more than 1 billion tons per year by 2050.

The ZEV Alliance was formed earlier this year in September to promote the global uptake of zero emissions technology. The current crop of ZEV cars includes battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles - all available in the UK.

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: “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.”