A range of measures are being called for in a new report to accelerate the UK’s transition to net zero transport.
The Zemo Partnership report – Decarbonising UK Road Transport: Map of Missing Policies – identifies specific policy proposals, breaking down road transport into sub-sectors of cars, vans, commercial vehicles, buses and coaches
Recommendations for passenger cars include, reintroducing the plug-in car grant, targeted on more affordable models and investigate possible Government support for social leasing schemes – offering subsidised lease rates for electric vehicles (EVs) to lower income groups.
It also wants the Government to introduce grants for used electric cars that fall within the typical price range of equivalent new entry- to mid-level models, with the scheme running for five years, and incentivise the sharing of private charge points.
For vans, the report calls for the plug-in van grant to be extended beyond April 2026 and introduce grants for second hand electric van purchases on a time limited basis, alongside consumer and business incentives to encourage the use of powered light vehicles (PLVs) for last-mile deliveries.
For commercial vehicles, the plug-in truck grant should be extended to 2030, removing annual review processes and ensuring longer term financial commitment.
The Government should also publish a strategy for supporting a national charging infrastructure for heavy duty vehicles along the strategic road network and at motorway service areas, and put in place a five-year funding framework for fleet charging and refuelling infrastructure.
Zemo’s acting managing director, Jonathan Murray, said: “UK transport’s transition to net zero is well under way, though progress is uneven across the sector.
“There are still many specific hurdles that these policy prescriptions seek to address as we accelerate into the delivery phase of transport decarbonisation.
“What gives these policy prescriptions relevance and legitimacy is the fact that they have been scrutinised by such a wide cross-section of industry and academic experts, many of them Zemo Partnership members.”
The report was launched alongside a Zemo-convened Parliamentary roundtable event in Westminster, where cross-party MPs and Lords (including members of both Transport and Business and Trade Committees) discussed the report’s recommendations.
The report was supported by the European Climate Foundation (ECF) and builds on the foundations provided by the Delivery Roadmap for Net Zero Transport, which Zemo published in December 2024.
Neil Stockley, Zemo head of public affairs and the report author, said: “The UK’s road transport landscape is changing dramatically in a short time-frame.
“It’s vitally important that policy development keeps pace with this changing landscape to help ensure that the UK’s net zero transport industry continues to thrive and can contribute as much as possible to the UK’s economy and future prospects.
“I’d like to thank the many industry leaders and associated experts who have contributed their time and energy to helping Zemo complete this important work.”
