A new poll of UK MPs has found that although 94% support the target of achieving net zero by 2050, many politicians remain misinformed about the technologies needed to meet that goal.

The polling, conducted by YouGov for the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), also found that MPs are at odds with the views of experts over how to ensure the UK’s energy security.

Just under a third (27%) of all MPs thought hydrogen will play a significant role in heating homes in the future, while 22% said hydrogen will only play a niche role in the future of home heating, and 9% thought it would have no role.

According to the ECIU, this contrasts sharply with the opinions of experts, who have concluded that hydrogen is not the solution to decarbonising our homes. Experts at Nesta, the UK innovation agency, claim that even if the UK can produce top estimates of 22-62 TWh of hydrogen annually, this would only heat 20% of homes.

The polling also revealed that MPs don’t fully grasp the opportunities for electric vehicles, with around two fifths (42%) of MPs thinking the total ownership costs for an EV (e.g. upfront cost, fuel, servicing, insurance and tax) are higher than that of a petrol car.

In reality, analysis has shown that petrol car drivers are paying a £700 ‘petrol premium’ because of high fuel costs compared to charging an EV. 

Around two fifths (39%) of MPs thought the UK’s grid is unable to cope with demand created by the shift to EVs, a claim the National Grid has explicitly labelled a ‘myth’, saying the power system will be able to cope with millions more EVs in the UK.

The data shows that following the election, 78% of MPs now view renewable energy and clean technology as the best opportunity areas for growth, up from 43% in the last parliament, falling more in line with polling that has previously found the public to place this sector as most likely to deliver economic growth for the UK. 

When it came to renewables, favourability among MPs also increased from the last parliament, with the majority (79%) of MPs now having a favourable view of onshore wind, compared to 56% before the election. 

“Many MPs seem to recognise that countries need to hit net zero emissions if we’re to stop climate change worsening, they get that basic scientific fact,” said Alasdair Johnstone, head of parliamentary engagement at the ECIU.

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“The public now expect delivery, and this is where it’s important MPs have their facts right. Growth was a major theme of the election and new MPs are definitely in-step with the public on what will deliver it, with renewables and clean-tech topping the bill. 

“Eyes will now turn to the budget and the Chancellor to set out how incentives and other levers can be used to compete in attracting global private investment to the UK.”