REACTION: Road to Zero strategy – industry given a free pass

In response to the release of the Government’s Road to Zero strategy this morning, which sets an interim ambition for ultra-low emission car sales of 30 – 70% by 2030 ahead of the ban on diesel and petrol cars and vans by 2040, Morten Thaysen, clean air campaigner at Greenpeace, said:

“The car industry should be in the doghouse for its diesel pollution and stalling emissions reductions. But instead of being pulled up, it’s yet again being given a free pass from the government to carry on business as usual.

“A 2040 target is already weak by international standards, and should be a decade earlier to deliver any incentive to the car industry and make a dent in transport emissions.

“We need 100% ultra-low emission car and van sales by 2030, not the limp 30% minimum for cars offered by the government today.”