Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to his Department's consultation on L-category vehicles: ending sales of new non-zero emission models, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposals to phase out new non-zero emission L-category vehicles by 2035 on the commercial viability of (a) L-category manufacturers building zero emission L-category vehicles and (b) consumers purchasing those vehicles.

The consultation on when to end the sale of new non-zero emission L-category vehicles was supported by a thorough programme of stakeholder engagement with manufacturers and the wider industry. We are now analysing the responses and will bring forward the Government’s response in due course.

We are working closely with industry to ensure a prosperous future for L-category manufacturers in the UK. In February 2022, the Motorcycle Industry Association and Zemo Partnership published a government-commissioned action plan, namely “Realising the Full Potential of Zero Emission Powered Light Vehicles”, to support the transition to zero emission L-category vehicles. The Government also recently made £350,000 of funding available to grow the zero emission motorcycle supply chain in the UK.

Government policies are already in place to support the transition to zero emission vehicles. However, the Government appreciates that there are technology and infrastructure considerations for these vehicles as they transition and will continue to work with the sector to support and examine how to best overcome demand side challenges, including the infrastructure needs of zero emission L-category vehicles.