Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Transport Decarbonisation 2026-07-16

Thursday 16 July 2026 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Transport decarbonisation includes moving more people from cars to trains, with good connectivity essential for train users.
  • The bus expert manufacturing panel, chaired by Simon Lightwood, works to support UK manufacture of electric vehicles for Wrightbus and other companies.
  • Procurement for enhanced wi-fi on all Great Western Railway long-distance services will begin in the second half of the year.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Perran Moon Lab
Transport Climate
Context

The question addresses the government's efforts to reduce carbon emissions in transportation. The MP is concerned about the transition from cars to trains and improving connectivity for train users.

Question

What steps she is taking to help decarbonise the transport sector? A key aspect of transport decarbonisation is attracting more people from cars to trains, yet train wi-fi services are often hopeless. Great Western Railway has been trialling superfast wi-fi successfully. Will this be rolled out across all GWR trains by the end of the year?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

Mr Speaker, if we want a sustainable transport network, more people must move from cars to trains. Good connectivity is essential for train users. Procurement for enhanced wi-fi on all GWR long-distance services will start in the second half of this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The timeline for full roll-out was not specified

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Perran Moon Lab
Transport Climate Northern Ireland
Context

The MP wants to ensure that Northern Irish businesses like Wrightbus are part of the decarbonisation efforts.

Question

Wrightbus in Ballymena is an example of a company interested in being part of decarbonisation. What has been done to ensure they can be involved in this future?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

Through the bus expert manufacturing panel, chaired by Simon Lightwood, we are working with mayors to find ways of supporting UK manufacture of electric vehicles. I look forward to working with the hon. Gentleman and Wrightbus on this.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Energy Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about the ZEV mandate's sustainability, especially regarding compliance credits from foreign companies.

Question

Despite urging for a change in approach, the ZEV mandate remains. Last year's target was met by manufacturers buying compliance credits from Tesla and BYD, not consumer demand. Are yearly increases to 80% of zero emission vehicles by 2030 or 100% by 2035 achievable without relying on foreign compliance credits?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

I look at data from both SMMT and DfT about vehicle sales. In June, nearly 30% were electric—a significant increase on last year. We are rolling out new charging infrastructure at a rate of one every 30 minutes. The future is electric, but we will keep the ZEV mandate under review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The feasibility of yearly targets was not directly addressed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Richard Holden Con
Energy Business & Trade
Context

The MP argues that the ZEV mandate is an ideological policy harming the industry and jobs. He asks for its removal.

Question

British vehicle manufacturers express concern about the ZEV mandate, viewing it as an ideological shibboleth. Will the Secretary of State listen to industry concerns, adopt the Conservatives' “plan for drivers,” and scrap the ZEV mandate before it kills off the British car sector?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

We will not change the 2030 phase-out date for pure internal combustion engine vehicles or the 2035 phase-out for hybrids. We have introduced new flexibilities and are reviewing them over the next six months.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The decision to scrap the mandate was not committed to

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Richard Holden Con
Transport Energy
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of poor connectivity on attracting more people from cars to trains, especially with successful trials of superfast wi-fi.

Question

Superfast wi-fi was trialled successfully by Great Western Railway. Will this be rolled out across all GWR trains by the end of 2023, to align with public ownership?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

Procurement for enhanced wi-fi on all GWR long-distance services will start in the second half of this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline for roll-out was not confirmed

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email