At transport questions this week I urged the Minister to bring forward the date of the Government’s planned ban on the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles and called for a proper plan to make this a smooth and achievable transition.

It is vital that we have an ambitious phase-out date, if we’re to be serious about tackling emissions and air pollution, but also that we avoid a cliff-edge for the manufacturing industry. However, all we’ve had recently from the Government to encourage take-up of zero emission vehicles has been announcements on green number plates and green parking spaces for EVs. Bringing forward this transition  will require reskilling for workers, more affordable vehicles and a network of charging points so that drivers can be confident of being able to recharge wherever they go. Disappointingly, the Minister shed no new light on how the Government plans to do this.

Based on the letter I co-wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport earlier this week – which called on the Government to bring forward the ban on the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles – I have written this article for PoliticsHome on the need to ensure a green recovery for our transport sector.