Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to cease ordering bi-mode rolling stock in order to contribute to the Railway Industry Task Force’s aim to secure an 80 to 100 per cent reduction in carbon emissions by 2040; and if not, why not.

The Government has set an ambitious, legally binding target to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from the UK by 2050. The rail industry must play its part in achieving this target.

We are working with Network Rail to develop a costed decarbonisation network strategy which will inform decisions on the scale and pace of rail decarbonisation. This work will consider the full range of available technologies and identify which is most appropriate for each part of the rail network.

Decisions on rolling stock will be taken as part of this wider strategy, alongside decisions on infrastructure. Bi-mode trains are able to use the parts of the network that are currently electrified and have the flexibility to run in only electric mode in the future.