The independent Committee on Climate Change has published a report urging the Government to set and vigorously pursue a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to ‘net zero’ in the UK by 2050.

This target will only be reached if ‘clear, stable and well designed policies’ to further reduce emissions are introduced across the economy, without delay, the report emphasises.

The document shows that emissions from transport have increased by 6% since 2013 and, although vehicles have become more fuel efficient, this has been offset by increasing travel demand.

It argues that 2040 is too late for the phase out of petrol and diesel cars and vans and says current plans for delivering this are too vague. Getting all cars and vans to be electric by 2050 will require all sales to be pure battery electric by 2035 at the latest, but the aim should be by 2030, it says.

This will need to be supported by fast expansion of electric vehicle charging networks and electricity grid capacity during the 2020s. In total, 3500 rapid and ultra rapid chargers near motorways and 210,000 public chargers in towns and cities, are likely to be required, the report claims.

Further priorities for the transport sector should include trials of electric and hydrogen heavy goods vehicles and exploring opportunities to improve the logistical efficiency of deliveries.

The Government must encourage walking, cycling and the use of public transport in preference to car usage wherever possible, the report adds, including through provision of infrastructure for safe and practical cycling.

Committee chairman Lord Deben said: “The Government should accept the recommendations and set about making the changes needed to deliver them without delay.”

Urban Transport Group director Jonathan Bray commented: “This advice is unequivocal: achieving net zero carbon emissions by the middle of the century is possible and affordable, but national policies must be ramped up to make this target credible.

“The onus is now on Government to give us the framework and funding we need to fully decarbonise urban transport.”