development of alternative fuels,

MPs call for more investment in lowcarbon fuels

The government needs to change its approach towards backing specific technology solutions to decarbonise the UK’s transport sector, or risk failing its targets for cutting emissions, says the House of Commons Transport Committee.

In its Fuelling the Future report the committee urges the government to move beyond its “deliberately technology agnostic” mindset, as stated in its 2019 Technology Innovation Strategy.

The UK government has set a number of targets to decarbonise different sections of the transport sector over the next 30 years. But the crossparty committee states the Department for Transport (DfT) has chosen to take a neutral stance on which technologies it believes industry should focus on

£56m

developing, in order for those carbon-cutting targets to be achievable. While recognising the electrification of transport, the Transport Committee is keen to see more support for development work on alternative fuels for aviation, rail and road vehicles.

In March 2022, the government’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy said that although the UK is a leader in the EV transition, the current pace of roll out is too slow.

The Transport Committee reiterates a recommendation from its 2021 zero-emission vehicles report that government should try to ensure no areas are left behind. However, in particularly rural and isolated locations, where this may not be viable, the committee believes that people should not be expected to give up using diesel, petrol or hybrid cars, as over time they will account for a negligible proportion of the UK’s transport emissions.