Thursday 24 September 2020

Tesco joins consortium calling for 100% zero emission car and van sales from 2030

Tesco joins consortium calling for 100% zero emission car and van sales from 2030

Tesco has joined a business coalition calling on the UK Government to target 100% zero-emission car and van sales from 2030.

The consortium of corporates includes also Dixons Carphone, E.ON, Heathrow, Lime and SSE - it asks the government to boost charging point availability and the supply of electric vehicles (EVs) to make the 2030 target viable.

The coalition of businesses is also asking for policies to extend financial incentives for drivers.

This call on the government comes during Climate Week NYC, the largest international climate summit of the year and ahead of the Prime Minister's speech at the UN General Assembly.

Helen Clarkson, CEO of Climate Group and Organiser of Climate Week NYC, said: "Only bold action can achieve the 50% cut in emissions the world needs by 2030, and the UK, as host of upcoming UN climate talks, must set an example.

"More government action is needed to support the manufacturing of EVs and to unlock infrastructure investment."

Giles Bolton, Responsible Sourcing Director at Tesco, commented: "The electrification of transport is crucial to becoming a zero carbon business by 2035 in the UK and 2050 globally, and we will need collaboration across industry and government through the likes of EV100 in order to overcome the barriers to transition together."

A DfT spokesperson said: “We want to build a greener transport system, reduce carbon emissions and boost economic growth in the UK which is why we’re supporting the transition to zero emission vehicles.

“Our £2.5 billion programme to support grants for plug-in vehicles and funding for charge point infrastructure at homes, workplaces, on residential streets and across the wider roads network, is all part of our world-leading package to encourage EV uptake.”

The UK Government has consulted on bringing forward the end to the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans from 2040 to 2035, or earlier if a faster transition appears feasible.

Written by

Bruna Pinhoni

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