Decarbonisation rollback ‘the last thing industry needs’

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was committed to reaching Net Zero by 2050 but was changing approach to ease the burden on working people.

Logistics UK chief executive David Wells OBE, responded:  “Pushing back the deadlines to decarbonise, rather than making progress on the investment and policies logistics businesses need to implement the route to Net Zero, is unhelpful and will discourage private investment in the UK and its industries. There is still much to be done, from delivering a charging network to confirming plans for alternatively fuelled vehicles, but our industry remains committed to achieving Net Zero.

“If new decarbonisation deadlines are to be achieved, it is vital for the health of the UK’s supply chain, and therefore our economy, that the government does the same. At a time when industry needs detail and action, delay just creates more uncertainty.”

Some consumer facing companies said they understood the PM’s decision. John Wilmot, CEO of car leasing comparison website LeaseLoco, said: “It has become evident the 2030 target is not achievable with battery production unable to meet the vehicle unit production required to hit the deadline. The cost of electric cars is too high and the public charging infrastructure rollout is well behind schedule. On our platform we have seen EV sales drop from 31% of all sales in Q1 2023, to 23% in Q3 2023. The Government has a monumental challenge to convince the British public to embrace green motoring.”