The move has been broadly welcomed by industry commentators but many call for further action to support electric vehicle uptake. Members of the UK Sustainable Aviation coalition have also launched a joint commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 this week.

Motoring group the RAC’s head of policy Nicholas Lyes said the Government’s more ambitious target “should be the catalyst for faster change”. But there are still many hurdles to cross, he emphasised, including the need for investment in charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and high initial purchase prices for the vehicles themselves.

“We urge the Government to extend the plug-in car grant for at least another three years to help those that want to go electric,” he said. “At a local level, authorities should also incentivise their use with cheaper parking rates and lower residents’ parking permit fees.”

Recent research conducted by the organisation revealed that 6% of motorists intend to choose a pure electric battery powered car as their next vehicle.

Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership managing director Andy Eastlake said the new target will be challenging for industry and drivers. “But if we are to meet the 2050 net zero commitment we must raise our level of ambition in road transport.”

He added: “Latest information on the fall in battery prices points to electric vehicles achieving price parity with conventional cars within the next five years. But there are very significant fuel and other cost savings for EV drivers so switching is already a good financial proposition for many.”

Electric vehicle consultant Cenex’s head of business development Keith Budden pointed out that 15 years ago there were very few electric vehicles in the UK. “But with clear leadership, strong polices and the right support, significant change was possible and will be again to achieve the 2035 target,” he said.

“A lot can be delivered in 15 years, however we need to see more investment in infrastructure, support for business and fleets and we also need more investment in zero emission public transport and mobility services,” he added.

Charging point location platform Zap-Map reports that over the past 12 months the number of public chargers for electric vehicles has increased by 50%, meaning there are now more than 10,000 charging locations across the UK.

Charging specialist EA Technology’s head of electric vehicle infrastructure Paul Barnfather said that the 2035 target “fully supports Ofgem’s Decarbonisation Action Plan, which shows how we will be ready for 10 million electric vehicles by 2030”.

He added that current projects including ‘Electric Nation’ and ‘Optimise Prime’ have “laid the foundations for the rapid roll out of EV charging infrastructure across the UK”.

However transport telematics firm Geotab’s vice president Edward Kulperger – although welcoming the Government’s announcement – said: “It is only once the business incentive and Government drivers are in place that the UK can genuinely hope to transition to electric.”

Sustainable transport company Kura’s chief operating officer Richard Woods added: “Taking polluting vehicles off our roads in favour of cleaner alternatives isn’t enough by itself to drive the sustainable change we so desperately need. “We must do more to take cars off the road altogether,” he said, suggesting investment in electric buses and Mobility as a Service.

Road safety group Brake’s director of campaigns Joshua Harris agreed that moves to encourage more people to leave their cars at home are needed. “Alongside removing the roads’ biggest polluters, we must take the opportunity to redesign our cities so that people can live and travel in a safe and healthy environment, free from harm from traffic and pollution.”

Environmental campaigners Friends of the Earth’s head of policy Mike Childs said the Government is right to accelerate the phase out of petrol and diesel cars, but called for the ban to start in 2030 rather than 2035.

“The new 2035 target will still leave the UK in the slow lane of the electric car revolution and in the meantime allow more greenhouse gases to spew into the atmosphere.

“If the UK Government wants to show real leadership ahead of this year’s climate summit it must also urgently reverse its plans for more roads and runways.”

Plans to end sales of petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2035 were set out by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson ahead of the United Nations climate conference ‘COP26’ in Glasgow later this year.

Also this week, the UK Sustainable Aviation coalition – which comprises airlines, airports and other industry stakeholders – signed a pledge committing to cut carbon emissions to zero by 2050 while growing passenger numbers 70%.

The group also published a decarbonisation road map, setting out where reductions in emissions can be made including through smarter flight operations, new aircraft and engine technology and the use of sustainable fuels.

(Photograph: Ian Stewart – Shutterstock)