More people than ever in UK buying electric cars and heat pumps but 'it's not enough'

More people in the UK are buying electric cars and installing heat pumps than ever before. However, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) said these numbers need to increase even further to reach net zero by 2050.

The number of electric cars in the UK has doubled over the past two years, with nearly one-in-five new cars sold in 2024 being electric. Meanwhile, the sales of electric heat pumps increased by more than 50% last year. However, the CCC said the numbers remain below target and is urging the Government to continue to encourage people to install them.

The independent committee is calling on the government to reduce the price of electricity to make sure households benefit from the switch. Emma Pinchbeck, chief executive of the CCC, told BBC News: "The Government has made progress on a number of fronts, including on clean power, [but] they need to do more on making electricity cheap."

While Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has branded it "impossible" for the UK to reach net zero by 2050, the CCC believes it is achievable. Reform UK has also used the term "net stupid zero".

Ms Pinchbeck said: "The UK can absolutely meet net zero by 2050." The CCC argues that reaching net zero will also lead to long-term economic benefits for the UK.

While new electric cars are more expensive than petrol, the CCC expects them to cost the same in the coming years. Electric cars can also be more economical and efficient to run.

Dr Emily Nurse, the CCC's head of net zero, said: "We see these transitions happen surprisingly fast once they get going, usually starting slowly and accelerating rapidly, where falling prices and rising demand reinforce each other. When that's combined with effective policy, it really can lead to this rapid change."

Electric heat pumps can also be expensive to install. Despite being more efficient than gas boilers, they can sometimes be more expensive to run due to the cost of electricity.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: "The only way to get bills down for good is by becoming a clean energy superpower and we continue to work tirelessly to deliver clean power for families and businesses."

Household electricity prices remain high due to the increase in wholesale costs. These are driven by international gas prices, according to the CCC.