Transport Committee launches EV inquiry

The House of Commons Transport Committee has launched a new inquiry into how the government can accelerate the country’s transition to widespread use of electric vehicles (EV).

The launch of ‘Supercharging the EV transition’ follows an announcement in the Autumn Budget that a new mileage-based fee will apply to battery-electric and plug-in-hybrid cars from April 2028, called the Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED).

The inquiry comes against the backdrop of manufacturers being mandated to end the sale of new pure petrol or diesel cars by 2030. By 2035 all new cars sold will have to be zero-emission. 

Ministers have also set an end to the sale of new pure petrol and diesel vans by 2035. These targets are part of the government’s policy to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across the whole economy by 2050.

The Transport Committee will examine what the impacts of the eVED charges might be, and how the government can tackle issues that may be putting the brakes on the transition to EVs and affecting consumer confidence, including affordability of vehicles and charging. MPs will look at the rollout and availability of charging infrastructure in different parts of the country.

Transport Committee chair Ruth Cadbury MP said:? “Are we really en route to a petrol and diesel-free future on Britain’s roads? After a major intervention in the Budget, this committee will look under the bonnet at the government’s policies to steer us through this period of major change to the way millions of us get around from day to day. 

“We will kick the tyres and see what can be done to jump start the rollout of charging infrastructure and ask how else government could remove barriers to broader uptake of EVs and incentivise their use. 

“We now welcome written evidence submissions from industry experts, researchers and others to help inform our journey through this inquiry.”  

Supercharging the EV transition

Terms of Reference

The Transport Committee is examining how effectively the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is progressing. 

The inquiry will consider the range of factors influencing uptake, including the effectiveness of existing financial incentives (such as the Electric Car Grant) the potential effect of the recently announced Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED), and the role of second-hand markets in shaping demand. 

The inquiry will also examine the roll-out of charging infrastructure, issues of social and geographic equity in access to the charging network, the availability of grid connections to support increased uptake, and wider factors influencing consumer confidence. 

The committee welcomes written evidence that addresses any of the following questions:

a. How effective have government policies been in driving EV adoption to date, and what further action is required to accelerate take-up?
b. How robust is the current rate of EV take-up relative to the government’s targets?
c. How effective are existing incentives (such as the Electric Car Grant) in influencing EV take-up, and to what extent might further or different forms of support be required?
d. What are the likely implications of the introduction of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED) for the wider EV transition, and what factors should guide the government’s approach to its implementation? What has been the effect of the introduction of VED on zero-emission cars since April 2025?
e. How should the government support further development of the second-hand EV market?
f. What are the most significant factors affecting consumer confidence in EVs, including purchase and running costs, chargepoint availability, concerns about battery longevity, safety and fire risk, and what are the best steps government and the sector could take to address them?
g. What further action is required to ensure that the roll-out of EV charging infrastructure facilitates transition at the necessary rate?
h. How effectively is the Department for Transport addressing issues in the rollout of charging infrastructure such as affordability, geographic equity, accessibility, administration of funding, and the availability of grid connections?
i. What lessons should be learned from other countries' successes or setbacks?