Wholesale use of electric vehicles (EVs) could reduce the UK’s need for fossil fuels by more than production from the North Sea oil licences recently announced by the government, a new report suggests.
A rise in UK EV numbers to 6.3 million by 2030 would be sufficient to offset the need for fuel to be imported to power petrol and diesel vehicles and be a reduction comparable to the new licences, said the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU).
Simon Cran-McGreehin, head of analysis at ECIU, said renewable energy development and EV adoption, as well as improving energy efficiency through measures like insulating roofs would make the gap even larger.
Britain’s new Zero Emission Vehicleguidelines kick in this month and are designed to accelerate teh transition away from petrol and diesel engines.
Environmentalists have criticised the government for issuing a new round of licences in the North Sea as a betrayal of the UK’s commitment to reduce its carbon emissions.
Policy changes following the surge in oil prices when Russia invaded Ukraine and cut off gas supplies to Europe with the government now emphasising security of supply as well as carbon reduction.
A spokesperson for the Energy Security and Net Zero department told Sky News: "We still rely on oil and gas for most of our energy needs and backing domestic supply bolsters energy security."