Morning, Monday, 24th February 2025
Online
This conference focuses on next steps for transitioning to zero emission vehicles in England, Scotland and Wales.
Delegates will assess latest developments, and priorities for policy and sector stakeholders to enable the UK ZEV market to scale up.
Following industry forecasts that ZEV mandate targets are likely be missed in 2024 and 2025, delegates will examine the future for the 2030 targets and scope for flexibility to support manufacturing, including options for enhancing incentives for consumers and the potential reduction or delay to penalty fees. It takes place as the Government reaffirms its commitment to the 2030 ZEV mandate, alongside launch of a consultation on the ZEV transition and phase-out of petrol and diesel cars, including a pledge to provide clarity on support for manufacturers and consumers.
We expect discussion on further strategic and policy options, examining the targeting of the £2bn announced in the Budget for the automotive sector, including the ZEV manufacturing sector and supply chain, the £120m recently announced to support businesses in purchasing electric vans through the plug-in vehicle grant scheme, and the extension of green first-year allowances for a further year for qualifying costs on zero-emission cars and machinery.
Looking at implications of trends in demand for ZEVs, areas for discussion include addressing concerns around affordability, range and battery life, and the proposed standardised battery health certification for used EVs. Delegates will consider next steps for scaling salary sacrifice schemes for EV company cars, alongside government-initiated incentives, in light of manufacturers’ concerns of disproportionate burden.
The Government’s commitments to fund acceleration of the rollout of EV charging points will be examined, including priorities for allocations and grants, enhanced powers for local authorities, and implications for urban and rural areas, as well as the way forward for achieving equitable access to charging facilities across the UK.
Further discussion will assess how future challenges can be addressed, including increased grid demand, advancing innovation and scaling up of hydrogen fuel cell technology, and widening ZEV deployment in freight and logistics, as well as priorities for the wider policy landscape, including the role of Great British Energy, renewables, and development of decarbonisation and net zero policies.
We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Richard Bruce, Director, Transport Decarbonisation, DfT; Matthew Eastwood, Head, EV Infrastructure, Consumer Incentives and Fleets Environment, Climate and Sustainability Directorate, Transport Scotland; Prof Jillian Anable, Chair, Transport and Energy, University of Leeds; Ian Plummer, Commercial Director, Auto Trader; and Vicky Read, CEO, Charge UK. Further senior speakers are being approached.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include officials from DfT; Defra; DESNZ; Transport Scotland; HM Treasury; HoC Library; NIC; GLD; and DAERA, NI.
