Transport Secretary Mark Harper has shown his support for sustainable fuels and the role they will play for classic cars and other vehicles in the years to come.
A growing number of motorists are turning to alternative fuels to power their vehicles to make them more environmentally friendly, in addition to organisations and events
The historic 2024 Goodwood Revival festival will become the world's first motorsport event to race exclusively using sustainable fuel, with the guidelines being in line with the FIA.
It will see competitors required to use a fuel which has a minimum of 70 per cent advanced sustainable components, although they will not need to make any modifications to their vehicles.
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The classic car industry is boosting support for suitable new fuels
GETTYThe historic vehicle industry has been investing more in sustainable - or future - fuels as a way to modernise the sector without compromising on typical performance or feel.
The Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance (HCVA) has started testing older cars using specialist fuel from Sustain by Coryton Synthetic and regular fuel.
It reported that the test vehicle - a Jaguar E-Type - ran "faultlessly all day" and delivered the same performance as racing fuels when used on the Goodwood track.
Speaking to GB News, Transport Secretary Mark Harper has supported calls for several ways in which the classic car industry can modernise.
This could be through retrofitting vehicles using electric engines, as has become more common, or by using sustainable fuels, Harper noted.
The MP for the Forest of Dean said: "For new vehicles, we've obviously set out our Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate which is technology neutral but most companies producing new vehicles have opted for battery electric.
“But obviously for many years to come both the classic cars and also for the stock of cars on the road, there are going to be traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.
“Sustainable fuels for them is clearly going to be part of the solution.
“I spoke to companies this morning that are involved in that business who are developing technology and we want to see them thrive and prosper as well.”
Harper, as well as fellow Conservative MP Greg Smith, visited the HCVA at Bicester Heritage last week to launch a new call for evdence on the DVLA's treatment of classic vehicles.
It aims to hear the views of classic car owners and the wider industry on potential changes to preserve the it for future generations and support the £18billion sector.
Despite supporting the industry, the Government acknowleged that policies for classic cars had remained largely untouched since the 1980s, especially in regards to restoring and upgrading the vehicles.
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Mark Harper met with the HCVA and classic car industry last week
DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT
The call for evidence is open until 11.59pm on July 4, 2024, with the Government urging anyone involved with classic cars to take part and share the opinions.