REA Comments on PM’s 10-Point Plan

REA Press Release

17 November 2020

REA Comment on PM’s 10-Point Plan and Renewable transport fuels and EV infrastructure sectors comment on Government’s new petrol and diesel vehicle phase-out announcement

• Government officially confirms that it will phase-out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, and new Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles by 2035
• Announcement comes following press reports in Financial Times over the weekend
• REA, which represents producers of renewable transport fuels and the electric vehicle charging value chain, welcome decision
• Also welcome the overall investment, extension of Green Homes Grant and support for CCS clusters

The Government’s decision today to phase-out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) by 2035, alongside more investment in the green economy, is welcome news according to the REA.

The REA represents over 150 companies operating across the production and distribution of renewable transport fuels (including liquid biofuels, biomethane, green hydrogen, and other ‘development fuels’) and the electric vehicle charging infrastructure value chain (including charge point operators, payment providers, installers and equipment manufacturers).

The REA has called for an ambitious phase-out date for cars and vans, with a rising volume of renewable fuel to be blended into fossil fuels at the pump so as to ensure the Government decarbonises both the existing cars and vans on the road, in addition to those newly sold.

A report released last week from Cambridge Econometrics found that a full 2030 phase-out could create 32,000 new jobs by the same year and increase GDP by 0.2% – or £4.2 billion pounds. The Renewable Transport Fuels sector already employs around 10,000 people in the UK, largely in the North-East and North of England.

Frank Gordon, Head of Policy at REA said:

“This is a major day for the building of green industries in the UK.

“The electric vehicle charging infrastructure sector stands ready to roll-out enough charge points to meet demand so long as a supportive regulatory regime is in place.

“Renewable transport fuels will play a critical and complementary role to this policy, and will be needed in greater volumes to ensure that we maximise emissions reductions from the millions of petrol and diesel cars and vans already on our roads, not just from new ones”.

“While we welcome the extension of the Green Homes Grant, we also believe it should be extended to cover more technologies such as energy storage and thermal batteries.”

“Additionally, it is great to see the role of Organics recognised in protecting and restoring the natural environment.”

—ENDS—

For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Ieva Asnina – 0203 6647 227

Notes to editors

• A link to Cambridge Econometric’s research can be found here: https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/2030-ban-on-polluting-cars-could-create-32000-new-jobs-and-provide-4-2bn-boost-to-economy-report-finds/
• A link to employment data in the renewable transport fuels sector can be found here: https://www.r-e-a.net/resources/review-2020/

About the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA)

The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (known as the REA) is the UK’s largest trade association for renewable energy and clean technologies with around 550 members operating across heat, transport, power, and natural capital. The REA is a not-for-profit organisation representing fourteen sectors, ranging from biogas and renewable fuels to solar and electric vehicle charging. Membership ranges from major multinationals to sole traders.

For more information, visit: www.r-e-a.net

About the REA’s Electric Vehicle Forum

The REA’s EV Forum is comprised of around 85 companies involved in financing, installing, operating, manufacturing, and providing services to the UK’s EV charging infrastructure market. The REA additionally serves as secretariat to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Electric Vehicles.

About the REA’s Renewable Transport Fuels Forum

The REA’s Renewable Transport Fuels Forum is the leading voice for the continued decarbonisation of the UK’s transport sector, representing the companies operating across the renewable transport fuels supply chain. The group is also involved in the development of policy for gaseous and advanced fuels for transport. REA is a key stakeholder in this emerging and increasingly important market for the UK economy.