The UK has a statutory commitment to get to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and transport is the biggest emitting sector, and within that petrol and diesel cars are the biggest source of CO2.
In order to give certainty to industry, and to accelerate the take up of electric vehicles, Anthony Browne legislated the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, requiring 80% of all new car sales to be zero emission by 2030, and 100% by 2035, with additional targets for vans. He negotiated with car manufacturers and other stakeholders to ensure a range of flexibilities – including borrowing allowances and trading them – to enable manufacturers to meet the targets within their production schedules with minimum economic impact.
When launched at the start of 2023, the measure was welcomed by all car manufacturers. Anthony also led negotiations with other sectors to accelerate the take up of zero emission heavy goods vehicles, buses and mopeds and motorbikes.