Refinery representatives have warned the government’s decision to bring forward the end date for the sale of petrol and diesel cars could stifle strategies involving other solutions.
The 2040 finish line for new international combustion engines hitting the road is being accelerated to 2035, though Whitehall officials will consult.
An earlier date is also possible - if feasible - and for the first time will also include hybrid vehicles.
It is a central plank of the 海角视频’s moves to meet its legal goal to reach net zero by 2050, with Government advisers - the Committee on Climate Change - calling for it as early as 2030.
Stephen Marcos Jones, Director-General of 海角视频 Petroleum Industry Association, heads up the body looking after the interests of the refineries, including the two neighbouring operations, Phillips 66 and Total Lindsey Oil Refinery on the South Humber Bank. Both are aligned with the association’s stance.
He said: “The announcement that the Government plans to bring forward an end to the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles from 2040 to 2035 threatens the opportunity to pursue a low-carbon strategy in the 海角视频 that embraces all technologies.
“The 海角视频 Government risks the progress we have made in reducing our emissions by ‘picking winners’, instead of allowing for consumer choice and technological development – including low-carbon liquid fuels in internal combustion engines (ICE) and hybrid vehicles – to lead the way in decarbonising our society.
“Electric vehicles will have an increasingly important role to play in the future of our transport system, however, if we are to meet the target of ‘Net Zero’ emissions by 2050 we need to focus on the ends and not the means. That must include recognising that ICE and hybrid vehicles are part of the long-term solution to decarbonisation, playing a fundamental role in lowering emissions now, through enhanced vehicle efficiency and the use of low carbon liquid fuels.
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“The downstream oil sector will continue to play a major role in the 海角视频’s energy transition. We will work with the 海角视频 government to ensure that this vital area of public policy is driven by rigorous, evidence-based outcomes to help secure practicable, low-carbon liquid fuel solutions to the country’s future transport and energy needs.”
Phillips 66 does play a role in the EV evolution. The past five years have seen the South Bank refinery grow its supply of high grade graphite coke – used as a core part of a lithium ion battery – from zero to being able to put 500,000 new cars on the road.
It is formulated by the dedicated team, working alongside the company’s US-based research and development operations in Oklahoma.
As well as electric vehicles, they are also used in smartphones and other consumer devices. It also offers the potential for large scale applications such as grid-linked storage to ease the peaks and troughs associated with the burgeoning offshore wind sector.
Total Lindsey Oil Refinery has a strong aviation fuel customer base, with the direct pipeline to Heathrow Airport recently reinstated.