Policy & regulationPolicy & MarketUnited Kingdom

Shell urges UK government to grant electric vehicles bus lane access and free parking to meet ZEV mandate

By Eve

Shell has submitted evidence to MPs calling on the Labour government to introduce incentives including bus lane access, free parking, discounted tolls, and £3,750 grants for second hand electric vehicle buyers to support the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate. The oil company described electric vehicles as the dominant solution for cutting transport emissions but warned that additional measures are needed to keep the UK on track with its decarbonisation targets. Shell's submission advocated for a technology neutral approach combining electrification and low carbon fuels to achieve stated emissions trajectories.

Why it matters: New incentives such as bus lane access and parking benefits could significantly influence fleet purchasing decisions and workplace charging demand, while second hand EV grants may accelerate the replacement cycle for commercial vehicles. The policy push from a major fuel supplier signals growing industry consensus that stronger government intervention is needed to meet ZEV mandate targets, which directly affects charging infrastructure rollout timelines.