General Election 2017: what will it mean for cars, roads and the motorist? ~ station of gear

From diesel scrappage schemes to zero road death targets, we covers the Election 2017 pledges made by the major political parties

2017-05-20 08:20

The June 8th UK General Election is looming large and the political party machines are in full swing across the country fighting for every possible vote. Amid all the electioneering claims and counter claims, promises and pledges, it can be tricky get a picture of what the main parties would actually do in office, never mind how those policies will impact motorists.

There are some really big motoring issues on the table this time around. The fallout from the diesel emissions scandal has stoked fears over diesel emissions in towns and cities. Scrappage schemes, toxin taxes and even diesel bans have been mooted as a result. Autonomous car technology is coming to our roads and there's discussion over how it should be handled legally in the UK as well as over the more general issues around increased technology in cars. Then there's Brexit and how the UK's departure from the European Union will affect car prices and the thriving UK car manufacturing industry.

Add in the deteriorating state of UK roads, the debate over road and bridge tolls to fund infrastructure improvements, concerns over the car finance boom, the electric car charging infrastructure, road safety plus the perennial favourite that is fuel prices, and you have a host of big election issues with roads, cars and motorists at their heart.

To find out what the different parties have in store for the motorist on these and other fronts, Auto Express has listed the key pledges and policies set out by each party in their General Election manifestos.

Below you'll find a party-by-party breakdown of where each of the main parties stands on key motoring-related issues...

Conservatives

Investment: The Conservatives have laid out “A Modern Industrial Strategy” in their manifesto. In it, they aim to identify industries vital to the economy and support them through trade, tax and training policies.

The automotive sector is likely to feature very high on this list, as previously the Conservative-led Government has said that it wants the UK to be a “leader” in autonomous vehicle technology.

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The manifesto also promised support for businesses working towards greener transportation, such as smart grids and electric vehicles. A crucial cornerstone for autonomous vehicles will be 5G mobile network coverage. The manifesto said it aims to have 5G coverage for the “majority of the population” by 2027.

Infrastructure: The Conservatives say they are working on one of the “largest-ever investment programmes in our roads and railways, putting some £40billion into transport improvements across the United Kingdom.” On a local level, the Conservatives have pledged to set aside £1.1billion to improve local transport by 2020.

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Low-emissions cars: The Conservatives have said they want “almost every car and van” to be zero-emissions by 2050. To do this, the party has promised to invest £600 million by 2020. To tackle local air pollution, the Conservatives have said they “will invest in more low-emissions buses,” too.

Labour

Road standards: The fall in UK road deaths figures has stagnated over the last few years, and Labour has said it will strive for zero deaths through “setting out bold measures that will continuously improve safety standards.”

The party also said it will work on improving road standards, and emphasised the need for universal 5G coverage. Previously, Jeremy Corby, leader of the Labour party, said he would abolish hospital parking charges in the UK.

Low-emissions cars: Labour has said it will “position the UK at the forefront of the development, manufacture and use of ultra-low emissions vehicles, supporting the creation of clean modes of transportation.”

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Labour said it would also address local air quality problems by retrofitting emissions control technology to “thousands of diesel buses in areas with the most severe air quality problems.”

Energy: According to the manifesto, a Labour Government would “ensure that 60 per cent of UK’s energy comes from zero-carbon or renewable sources by 2030.” Good news for EV owners concerned that the electricity their car uses comes from polluting powerplants.

Brexit: Labour has said it accepts the referendum result, and would negotiate for a Brexit that puts jobs and the economy first. This means “retaining the benefits of the Single Market and the Customs Union – which are essential for maintaining industries, jobs and businesses in Britain.”

Liberal Democrats

Diesel scrappage scheme: A standout from the Lib Dems is to ban on diesel car sales by 2025. The party has said it would prevent any new diesel cars or small vans from being sold in the UK to help improve local air quality.

It would also introduce a diesel scrappage scheme for old diesels and 10 new cities would create ultra low emissions zones where drivers of the most polluting vehicles would be charged to enter.

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Buses would also be under greater scrutiny. The Liberal Democrats said they want “all private hire buses and diesel buses operating in urban areas to run on ultra-low emission or zero-emission fuels within five years.”

Tim Farron’s party also said it would introduce a new law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent by 2040, and promises net emissions to be zero per cent in 2050.

Vehicle tax reform & hydrogen cars: The Lib Dems have also pledged to reform vehicle taxation. The party said: “We will also reform vehicle taxation to encourage sales of electric and low-emissions vehicles and develop electric vehicle infrastructure including several universal charging points.” The party also said it would “support cutting-edge technologies” such as hydrogen fuelled cars.

Road infrastructure: The party promises “significant investment in road and rail infrastructure”, but does not disclose any specific figures.

Who will do most for the motorist in this General Election? Tell us in the comments below...

Martin Saarinen

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