Directors of public health have welcomed the Government’s zero emission vehicle mandate, which comes into law today, but warned electric vehicles are ‘just part of the solution’.
From today, manufacturers will be required to produce zero emission vehicles for 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035.
The Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) welcomed the news and added that investment in the infrastructure needed for the transition to electric cars must be supported across all sectors and political parties.
However, ADPH President Greg Fell emphasised that more needed to be done to encourage the use of public transport and active travel.
‘Electric vehicles are just part of the solution. Only by increasing accessibility and affordability of public transport and active transport schemes will we truly be able to effectively reduce air pollution and improve public health,’ he said.
‘A commitment to funding and resourcing should therefore also be made available to the many existing – and emerging – schemes that encourage active transport.’
