Tackling Barriers to Zero-Emission Road Transport in the UK

Abstract

Policy Context: The road transport sector is vital to the UK’s economic prosperity. Accounting for roughly 30% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024, road transport decarbonisation is essential to achieving the UK’s 2050 net zero target. At the core of this transition is the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate requiring an increasing percentage of vehicles to have zero tailpipe emissions towards a target of 100% by 2035.

Key Findings: Current policy does not fully address the infrastructure requirements nor the environmental impact of the full lifecycle of zero tailpipe emission vehicles - Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs).

Policy Advice: Rapid decarbonisation of road transport through BEV and FCEVs deployment should be supported by accelerated integrated infrastructure investment and address systemic barriers in grid capacity, hydrogen supply, vehicle supply chains and lifecycle emissions accounting.