PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(1 June 2026)
Question Asked
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what comparative assessment she has made of the impact of (a) electric and (b) petrol cars on road surfaces.
Asked by:
Jack Rankin (Conservative)
Asked by:
Jack Rankin (Conservative)
Answer
Research suggests that the overall road wear effects caused by electric cars are relatively small. This is because wear and tear on roads is dominated by heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and buses, with a much smaller impact from cars of any type.
In addition, while electric vehicles (EVs) can be heavier than equivalent petrol or diesel vehicles, on average, passenger cars have been increasing in weight for many years. This trend has been driven by consumer choice and improving safety features for passengers. Many petrol and diesel cars are as heavy as EVs.
Answered by:
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