The transport sector is the UK’s highest emitting sector and the only one whose emissions have increased since 1990. If we are to reduce emissions at the speed and scale required to meet net zero by 2050, then the transport sector must be supported to decarbonise.
We have been leading the decarbonisation of transport for the past 30 years and have worked closely with the UK and devolved governments on accelerating the rollout of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure for households and businesses, as well as incentivising active travel.
The transport schemes and programmes we deliver across the UK support local authorities, businesses and individuals make the switch to low carbon transport. This has included grants and loans to purchase electric cars, taxis, bikes and vans and install EV charging infrastructure. For example, in England, through our work with the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund, we administered £57 million to local authorities in 2023/24 on behalf of the UK Government by approving public and private sector funding for critical EV charging infrastructure.
We also provide expert and impartial fleet advice to businesses and public sector organisations across the UK to help them lower their emissions to meet carbon reduction commitments. Through our website and the Home Energy Scotland service in Scotland, we also provide advice to homes to help people reduce their transport costs and carbon footprint and. The programmes we deliver in Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government achieved an estimated lifetime carbon saving of around 63,000tCO2e over 2023-24. This is the equivalent to removing 168.6 million petrol car miles from the road and achieving lifetime cost savings of around £43 million.
Our work also recognises the importance of modal shift (shifting the demand for cars into public transport and active travel) to meet the UK-wide target to meet net zero by 2050, as well as equivalent separate targets for Wales and Northern Ireland and Scotland’s target to reach net zero by 2045. This will also be important to deliver additional benefits, such as cleaner air. It’s important for the move to sustainable transport to be inclusive, accessible, and affordable and contribute to a just energy transition.
Our work, such as the Plugged in Communities Grant Fund, which improves the provision of public transport in rural areas, provides a template that could be replicated across the UK. Since 2022, projects supported by the fund have saved 8058.49tCO2e, equivalent to removing over 20 million petrol car miles.