UKIFDA technical manager Tony Brown adds; “Not all customers will be able to afford battery cars and with the current financial squeeze on many households due to COVID 19 we believe the situation will only worsen.
“The government needs to ensure they are not closed off to other possibilities such as switching from renewable to synthetic, biofuel blends and hydrogen which have so far been dealt with as sub optimal solutions. What has been forgotten is the advancement of the new euro engine design both in petrol and diesel power (including electronic management) which has already shown a significant reduction in emissions over several years.
“The development of new and improved fuels in addition to ongoing advances in engine design for ICEVs will result in similar emission results to BEVs by the mid-2030s when considering all the facts.
“Whilst attending a recent Westminster Transport Forum in London, our industry questioned the Department For Transport on its vision for the future. This vision was based on a policy framework focused on the narrow tank-to-wheel emissions, under which battery drive always has a clear advantage over the internal combustion engine in terms of CO2.
“This narrow cycle definition has so far failed to consider:
- that significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions are produced during the battery production process and the generation of electricity for charging.
- the unanswered questions around raw material and disposal of components (e.g. batteries). Energy intensive recycling could become increasingly necessary.
- the overall cradle to grave lifecycle CO2 impact of ICEVs against similar definition for BEVs.
“A balanced and open approach is needed which will be in the interests of the consumer, the planet and UK employment through the investment in new fuel technology.”