Zemo Partnership has released a new report describing the policies needed to accelerate the UK’s transition to net zero transport.
The report was launched alongside a Zemo-convened Parliamentary Roundtable event in Westminster where cross-party MPs and Lords discussed the report’s recommendations.
Called Decarbonising UK Road Transport: Map of Missing Policies, it has been supported by the European Climate Foundation (ECF), and builds on the foundations provided by the Delivery Roadmap for Net Zero Transport, which Zemo published in December 2025.
The work adds to Zemo’s efforts to achieve a more urgent, comprehensive and integrated approach to delivering net zero transport in the UK.
The report identifies specific policy proposals, breaking down road transport into the sectors of buses, coaches, cars, vans and commercial vehicles.
Each section includes a summary of the current situation, active government policies and proposals for new policies to accelerate and coordinate the transition.
Energy/fuel-specific and cross-cutting recommendations are included within the relevant section.
The recommendations include:
Passenger cars
- Reintroduce the Plug-In Car Grant – targeted on more affordable models.
- Investigate possible government support for social leasing schemes
- Introduce grants for used electric cars that fall within the typical price range of equivalent new entry
- Incentivise the sharing of private chargepoints.
Commercial Vehicles
- Extend the Plug-In Truck Grant to 2030
- Publish a strategy for supporting a national charging infrastructure for heavy duty vehicles
- Put in place a five year funding framework for fleet charging and refuelling infrastructure
Vans
- Extend the Plug-In Van Grant beyond April 2026.
- Introduce grants for second hand electric van purchases on a time limited basis.
- Use consumer and business incentives to encourage the use of PLVs for last-mile deliveries.
Buses
- Phase in a higher basic BSOG for electric buses and taper it for existing diesel models until 2032.
- Create a new capital funding stream to ensure the distribution of infrastructure funding to smaller operators.
- Traffic commissioners could restrict purchase of new diesel buses by attaching conditions to operating licenses
Coaches
- Work with industry to agree a realistic end-of-sale date for new non-zero emission coaches
- Develop an initiative for the coach sector modelled on the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator Programme (ZEHID)
- Consider using grant or other funding to support the growth of the zero emission coach market
Commenting on the report’s publication, Zemo’s Acting Managing Director Jonathan Murray said:
“UK transport’s transition to net zero is well under way, though progress is uneven across the sector. There are still many specific hurdles that these policy prescriptions seek to address as we accelerate into the delivery phase of transport decarbonisation.
“What gives these policy prescriptions relevance and legitimacy is the fact that they have been scrutinised by such a wide cross-section of industry and academic experts, many of them Zemo Partnership members.”
Neil Stockley, Zemo Head of Public Affairs and the report author, said:
“The UK’s road transport landscape is changing dramatically in a short time-frame. It’s vitally important that policy development keeps pace with this changing landscape to help ensure that the UK’s net zero transport industry continues to thrive and can contribute as much as possible to the UK’s economy and future prospects.
“I’d like to thank the many industry leaders and associated experts who have contributed their time and energy to helping Zemo complete this important work.”
Jonathan Murray will be speaking at the Transport + Energy Fleet Electrification Forum on 9 July at Warwick Conferences. Find out more about the event and speakers here.
