Car dealer groups and their EV-buying customers have a month to give input to a House of Lords investigation into electric vehicles (EVs) and the UK Government's strategy to halt the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and vans.

An inquiry, conducted by the environment and climate change committee, aims to gain insights into the methods through which the Government intends to achieve its objective of decarbonizing the UK's cars and vans, while also looking into the primary obstacles that may impede progress.

In particular, the inquiry will delve into the risks and benefits of the 2030 deadline for the end of new petrol and diesel car and van sales, and scrutinise the Government's progress.

Committee chair Baroness Kate Parminter said it seeks to find out "what the Government needs to do to encourage greater take up of EVs ahead of their 2030 and 2035 targets".

And it wants input from car owners about their experience of buying and using EVs and the hurdles that must be overcome.

Two of the points it specifically wants to tackle are:

  • Do the 2030 and 2035 phase-out dates serve their purpose to incentivise the development of an EV market in the UK? To what extent are car makers focusing on one date or the other? What are the impacts of the deadlines on the ability of the UK supply chain to benefit and how could the Government seek to further support the development of the UK EV industry? Would the introduction of a plan with key dates and timescales support the development of the EV industry in the UK?
  • What specific national policies, regulations or initiatives have been successful, or have hindered, EV adoption to date? Are these policies or initiatives fit for purpose?

For those interested in contributing to this inquiry, the details regarding the submission of evidence are available on the committee's official website.

The submission deadline is September 15, 2023.

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