As the July 4 General Election approaches, AM examined the contrasting visions from the major political parties on transport and environmental policies assessing their different approaches to sustainability, economic growth, and public infrastructure investment.
In advance of the issue of each of the main party’s political manifestoes, the National Franchised Dealer Association (NFDA) called on all major political parties to offer ‘robust support’ on key issues for the automotive retail sector ahead of the election including help to boost retail demand for EVs, an overhaul of the apprenticeship levy, mandated public chargepoint targets, plus a clear plan for future road pricing.
Many of those policy issues have been addressed to some extent but as an employer of 78% of the 758,000 people working in the sector and which generates annual turnover of £100 billion, automotive retailers will be focussed on which political party addresses the factors which most impact their business.
Ahead of the upcoming General Election, the Labour Party is promising to reintroduce the ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars starting from 2030. However, there is no mention in the manifesto about how such a change will impact vans.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer cited economic revitalisation as a cornerstone of the party’s manifesto, highlighting the need to modernise the country’s transport infrastructure.
Criticising what they describe as a legacy of unfulfilled promises and deteriorating road conditions under Conservative rule, Labour pledges to prioritise the renewal and maintenance of the road network to benefit drivers, cyclists and other road users while addressing congestion and safety concerns.
A significant commitment in the manifesto includes the repair of an additional one million potholes annually across England, funded by deferring the controversial A27 bypass project, which Labour deems as not delivering sufficient value for money.
The party also aims to support drivers by tackling rising car insurance costs and accelerating the deployment of electric vehicles (EVs), by expanding charging infrastructure and standardising information on the condition of second-hand EV batteries.
Plug-In Grant
Despite these promises, Labour’s manifesto does not mention reinstating the plug-in car grant, which was previously axed by the Conservative government. This omission has drawn criticism with experts and stakeholders like the RAC highlighting the importance of financial incentives to drive EV adoption among consumers.
Labour’s transport strategy also focuses on integrating transport systems under mayoral authorities to enhance connectivity and promote active travel options like cycling and walking. The manifesto stresses the need for a cohesive, long-term transport strategy aimed at efficient infrastructure delivery and improving public transport access.
While welcoming Labour’s commitments to road maintenance and EV infrastructure, RAC policy chief Simon Williams expressed concern over the absence of clear funding plans for local road projects, particularly in light of uncertainties surrounding the deferral of major infrastructure initiatives like the A27 bypass.
This, coupled with Labour’s ambitious plans for a National Wealth Fund and investments in clean energy, reflects a broader agenda aimed at stimulating economic growth and sustainability.
Freight Emissions
Critics, however, have pointed out gaps in Labour’s approach, such as the lack of detailed plans to address emissions from freight transport and other sectors. Despite ambitions to transition to green energy, questions also remain about how Labour intends to achieve broader decarbonisation targets beyond the automotive sector.
Commenting Ian Plummer, commercial director at Auto Trader, said; “We would welcome the restoration of the 2030 date change in regards to the ban on new petrol and diesel sales. Manufacturers and broader industry are already working towards this date following the Zero Emissions Mandate that the Government announced last year, so it makes sense to align consumer expectations providing them more certainty.
“We also welcome the broader commitments to standardise battery information to reassure buyers, given battery health worries are proving a blocker for some consumers considering making the switch. Although there is more a new Government could do – such as cutting VAT on public charging and supporting the used EV market– to encourage greener motoring.”
The Conservative Party meanwhile says it would support drivers by halting road pricing initiatives and reversing the expansion of London’s ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ).
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, presenting the manifesto at Silverstone this week, outlined a range of policies aimed at cutting taxes and reforming transport strategies.
A central pledge is the rejection of pay-per-mile road pricing, with plans to enshrine this commitment in legislation that would also roll back the expanded ULEZ introduced by London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
The manifesto argues that these measures unfairly burden motorists and local communities, highlighting concerns over pollution impacts and economic accessibility.
Since coming into power in 2010, the Conservatives defended their consistent advocacy for drivers, citing freezes in fuel duty and recent initiatives such as the ‘Plan for Drivers’ which features proposals to optimise bus lane usage, penalise street works overruns and standardise enforcement at yellow box junctions. The manifesto also promises reforms to allow motorcycles in all bus lanes and streamline motorcycle licensing.
Infrastructure
In addition to addressing urban transport issues, the Conservative manifesto allocates significant funding towards improving local roads, rail networks, and buses. This includes a £36 billion investment intended to stimulate regional growth, with plans to fill potholes and resurface roads by reallocating funds from the second phase of HS2.
Infrastructure development features prominently, with commitments to accelerate the approval process for major projects and reduce delays caused by legal challenges. The manifesto pledges support for businesses through extended tax incentives and the establishment of a National Parking Platform to simplify parking payments.
However, the manifesto has drawn criticism from some quarters. The RAC’s policy chief Simon Williams expressed disappointment at the absence of road casualty reduction targets and long-term funding guarantees for local road maintenance.
Concerns were also raised about the sustainability of funding sources amid declining revenues from fuel duties, exacerbated by the increasing adoption of electric vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) welcomed the Conservatives’ infrastructure investment and planning reforms but noted a lack of clarity regarding the decarbonisation of heavy vehicles.
The Liberal Democrats have committed to reinstating the plug-in car grant and enforcing a ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and vans from 2030.
In their manifesto for the upcoming General Election on July 4, the party criticised Conservative ministers for their neglect of transport infrastructure, arguing that frequent policy reversals have undermined the rail industry, electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, and regional development.
Furthermore, they claim the government has failed to roll out electric charging points at a necessary pace and has allowed local bus routes to decline, while road conditions remain poor.
To ease the transition to EVs, the Liberal Democrats promise to expand the number of charging points, including residential on-street points and ultra-fast chargers at service stations.
They plan to support new chargers with an upgraded National Grid and enhanced local grid capacity and additionally aims to reduce VAT on public charging to 5% plus ensure all charge points accept bank card payments. Although the current government has mandated that all DC chargers must accept contactless payment, the Lib Dems intend to make this more comprehensive.
Reinstate 2030
The manifesto also pledges to reintroduce the plug-in car grant, discontinued in 2022, and reaffirm a ban on new petrol and diesel car sales from 2030. Previously, the Conservative government had postponed this ban until 2035.
Additional transport policies include protecting motorists from high insurance and petrol prices. The party also plans to allocate more road maintenance funds to local councils, focussing on the repair of potholes and maintenance of pavements and cycleways.
The party is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. They promise bold actions to address climate change, reduce energy bills, and create well-paid jobs. The aim is to make the UK a leader in clean technologies, assisting households in adapting to a net-zero future without leaving anyone behind.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams welcomed the pledge for more road maintenance funding and additional EV transition support but expressed concerns about the clarity of spending allocations.
He warned that the high upfront cost of EVs is a significant barrier for many drivers and praised the proposal to reinstate the plug-in car grant and expand charger availability. Williams also supported the plan to reduce VAT on public charging.
Matt Finch, UK policy manager at Transport and Environment, commended the Lib Dems’ commitments, particularly its focus on upgrading the national electricity grid to support EV infrastructure. However, Finch noted the manifesto’s lack of focus on decarbonising trucks which have been historically neglected.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) meanwhile criticised the Lib Dems’ transport plan for its narrow focus on passenger transport over road freight which constitutes 89% of all freight movement, and argued that a simple shift to rail is unrealistic without substantial infrastructure investment.