(LONDON – 18 November, 2020) The UK Government has announced a target date of 2030 by which to phase out the sale of polluting fossil-fueled cars and vans, as part of a 10-point plan for a green recovery – with hybrid vehicles being on sale until 2035. The decision will encourage the uptake of cleaner electric vehicles and reduce toxic air pollution, which shortens lives and leads to heart and lung disease. The UK will join Germany, Norway and others in phasing out cars and vans powered by fossil fuels in the next decade. A recent Environmental Defense Fund Europe analysis highlighted the magnitude of air pollution from diesel cars in London.  

“Transport is a major source of the UK’s harmful emissions, and even the latest diesel cars are a serious health hazard. This announcement to phase out diesel and petrol vehicles places the UK at the global forefront of clean air action, and gives a clear signal to the vehicle manufacturing industry that now is the time to build capacity and create jobs in producing electric vehicles. We look forward to similar dates for phasing out more polluting, heavier vehicles, such as buses and lorries.

“Of course, the transition to cleaner transport must be equitable, affordable and inclusive. The current cost of electric vehicles is out of reach for many people — but those costs are falling rapidly.

“With the health and climate challenges we face, it simply isn’t enough however to change one car for another. Many authorities in the UK have tried to discourage car use and have rightly encouraged people to walk and cycle since COVID-19 restrictions began, and are working hard to keep public transport free from infection. Whilst we welcome the 10 point plan as a useful step, we need to see the right level of investment to support the plan and at the moment this is dwarfed by the planned spend on road building, for example.”

• Jill Duggan, Executive Director, EDF Europe

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Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org), a leading international nonprofit organization, creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. With offices in the United States, China, Mexico, United Kingdom and Indonesia, EDF’s 750 scientists, economists, attorneys – and our partners and allies – work in 26 countries to turn our solutions into action. Connect with us on Twitter @EnvDefenseEuro.

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