19 June 2025

Clean Air Day is the UK’s largest air pollution campaign, focusing attention on taking action to clean up our air and understanding the risks to health caused by air pollution. In support of Clean Air Day, celebrated on June 19, NAPIT discusses the importance of decarbonising transport and highlights the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). 

The transport sector is the highest emitter of domestic greenhouse gases, making it a significant source of air pollution in the UK. According to the Global Action Plan, exposure to high levels of air pollution can cause a range of health problems, including damage to the lungs, increased blood pressure, and increased lung and heart-related hospital admissions and deaths.

Decarbonising transport is therefore essential to help reduce emissions, health harm, and for the government to reach its net-zero target by 2050. The switch from petrol and diesel to an electric vehicle (EV) is key to reducing emissions. 

In addition to improving air quality, switching to electric vehicles offers numerous benefits. The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles reported that running an EV can cost as little as two pence per mile. Most new EVs have a range of 300 miles, which is enough to get from London to Newcastle on a single charge.

Nearly 80,000 public electric vehicle chargepoints (EVCP) are already available in the UK, and the sales of new petrol and diesel cars will stop by 2030, with new hybrid sales ending in 2035. The government confirmed a £2.3 billion spending boost for the manufacturing of zero-emission vehicles and to improve the charging infrastructure.

To ensure an infrastructure is in place for car users to charge their vehicles, a competent EVCP installation workforce is needed. Across six NAPIT Training centres in the UK, NAPIT offers a course for installers on how to install electric vehicle charging equipment safely. 

It is crucial to bridge the skills gap and make sure there are enough competent and qualified installers to meet the increasing demands of electric vehicle chargepoint installations. 

NAPIT External Affairs Manager Nigel Richardson previously shared top tips and experiences of owning an electric vehicle, which consumers might find useful if considering making the switch to an EV. Consumers can use the NAPIT Member Search to find NAPIT-registered members who can carry out EVCP installations.

NAPIT Managing Director, Frank Bertie said: “Low carbon technologies like electric vehicles are key to reaching Net Zero targets. Awareness Days like Clean Air Day are important for emphasising the need for decarbonisation and cleaner air. 

“Installers are at the forefront of the journey towards decarbonisation, and NAPIT will continue to support awareness days like this and government initiatives to help drive a positive change to a cleaner future.”