Government launches Transport Decarbonisation Plan
19 July 2021
The previously delayed Transport Decarbonisation Plan was launched by the DfT on 4 July 2021. The plan sets out the Government’s commitments and the actions needed to decarbonise the entire transport system in the UK by 2050.
Amongst other things, the Government proposes to phase out all polluting HGVs by 2040, and polluting lorries weighing under 26 tonnes by 2035.
The ambitious plan document is 216 pages long, but below are some key areas which operators in the bus, coach and HGV sector may be interested in.
The plan covers:
- Increasing cycling and walking
- Zero emission buses and coaches
- Decarbonising railways
- A zero-emission fleet of cars, vans, motorcycles, and scooters
- Accelerating maritime decarbonisation
- Accelerating aviation decarbonisation
Its five strategic priorities are:
- Accelerating modal shift to public and active transport
- Decarbonisation of road vehicles
- Decarbonising how we get our goods
- Place-based solutions
- UK as a hub for green transport, technology, and innovation
- Reducing carbon in a global economy
The following commitments are made in the plan to:
As regards coach and bus:
- deliver the National Bus Strategy’s vision of a transformed bus industry and a green bus revolution
- consult on modernising the Bus Service Operators’ Grant (BSOG) in 2021 (with a plan to increase the rate at which the BSOG green incentive can be claimed for zero emission buses to 22p per km
- support delivery of 4,000 new zero emission buses and the infrastructure needed to support them
- deliver the first All-Electric Bus Town or City
- consult on a phase out date for the sale of new non-zero emission buses
- consult on a phase out date for the sale of new non-zero emission coaches
As regards HGV:
- consult on phase out dates for the sale of all new non-zero emission HGVs
- demonstrate zero emission HGV technology on UK roads this year
- stimulate demand for zero emission trucks through financial and non-financial incentives
- support efficiency improvements and emission reductions in the existing fleet
- support and encourage modal shift of freight from road to more sustainable alternatives, such as rail, cargo bike and inland waterways
- take forward measures to transform ‘last mile’ deliveries
If you would like to read the plan, you can find it here. If you would like to discuss or take advice, please contacts our Regulatory team on 01254 828300.
