The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee in the UK has launched an inquiry into electric vehicles to explore how the Government will achieve its 2030 ICE phase-out plans and the barriers to doing so.

The committee is seeking evidence in areas including the Government’s approach to achieving the 2030 and 2035 phase-out dates

The inquiry, which is open to drivers, businesses and local authorities amongst others, will  explore the costs and benefits of the UK’s plans to end all sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in the UK by 2030 and ensure all new cars and vans are “fully zero emission at the tailpipe” by 2035.

The committee is now seeking evidence in the following topic areas:

• The Government’s approach to achieving 2030 and 2035 phase-out dates
• The EV market and acquiring an EV
• Experience of using an EV
• End-of-life disposal of EVs
• National and regional infrastructure and charging issues
• International perspectives.

Baroness Kate Parminter, chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee, said: “The rubber is now hitting the road – as we can’t get to net zero without individuals making changes to our lives, how we travel and what we buy. Using EVs for passenger transport will be a part of that and the Government has committed to ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030.

“We want to hear from the public about their experience of acquiring and using EVs in the UK, and the barriers to doing so. We also want to find out from industry, local authorities, and all others with an interest in decarbonising transport, what the Government needs to do to encourage greater take up of EVs ahead of their 2030 and 2035 targets.”

The call for evidence launches as a growing number of fleet, transport and environment groups urge the Government not to row back on the EV transition plans, amid concerns that the upcoming ZEV mandate could be watered down.

Separately, four prominent groups have written to Transport Minister Jesse Norman, urging the adoption of key recommendations made in a recently published roadmap to charge point success.

Details of the Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee’s complete list of questions, plus details how to submit evidence by the deadline of 5pm on Friday 15 September 2023, is on the committee’s website. The inquiry will also be the focus for the committee’s 2023/2024 Youth Engagement Programme.