The campaign championed by Ruth Edwards MP to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 has met with success after the Government announced the change as part of its new Environment Plan.
The policy, which will be announced as part of the Prime Minister’s 10 Point Environment plan on Wednesday, will include more than a billion pounds of investment in charging infrastructure and the electric vehicle supply chain.
Ruth has been campaigning for this change in Parliament and proposed the ambitious target in the One Nation ‘Building Back Greener’ policy paper in the summer.
She has also been lobbying ministers and raised the issue with the Prime Minister.
Speaking ahead of the announcement, Ruth said:
“After more than a century on the road, our automotive industry is overdue for an MOT.
“Petrol and diesel cars have had their day, we need to embrace greener alternatives and make them accessible and affordable for everyone.
“As I said in the One Nation ‘Build Back Greener'” policy paper, this ambitious target will force car companies to improve their offering quickly, will help protect our environment and reduce air pollution.
“Health conditions caused by air pollution are set to cost the NHS £18.6 billion in 2035 in a ‘do nothing’ scenario. For the sake of our public health, we need to act now.
“Investment in EVs and the associated infrastructure will also create new green jobs and apprenticeships in areas such as battery technology, charge point installation and maintenance.
“If the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us anything, it’s that we are more than capable of doing a lot in a short amount of time. We built hospitals in weeks and transformed supply chains to support our COVID response.
“The first electric car was built 130 years ago and could travel at the heady speed of 14MPH. I’m delighted by this announcement which will push electric vehicles into the fast lane.”
