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The government has launched consultations on the gradual abolition of gasoline and diesel cars by 2030.
Automotive and charging experts will be invited to share their views, as Government they claim the consultation will “bring back clarity” for vehicle manufacturers and the charging industry.
Secretary of Transportation Heidi Alexander launched a consultation to seek industry views on how to meet Labour’s manifesto commitment to bring back the 2030 phase-out date for new petrol and diesel-only cars. The obligation could be relaxed to allow the sale of hybrid vehicles until 2035.
Rishi Sunak has extended the deadline for phasing out new gasoline and diesel cars by 2030 to 2035.
Currently, more than two-thirds of UK car manufacturers, incl Nissan and Stellantis, have already committed to fully switch to electric cars by 2030.
Going electric is an unprecedented opportunity to attract investment, harness British innovation and grow for generations to come
Transportation Secretary Heidi Alexander
The consultation proposes updates to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which sets out the percentage of new zero-emission cars and vans manufacturers will have to sell each year until 2030.
The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) said the UK would meet its electric vehicle targets as the Zev mandate takes into account credits earned from sales of lower-emission hybrid petrol and diesel vehicles, as well as sales of fully electric vehicles.
This means that the Zev mandate target of 22% for each manufacturer is set as an industry-wide average, the ECIU said.
Ms Alexander said: “Employing 152,000 people and adding £19bn to our economy, the UK car industry is a huge asset to our nation – and going electric is an unprecedented opportunity to attract investment, harness British innovation and grow for generations to come. .
“Yet, in recent years, our auto industry has been stifled by a lack of certainty and direction. This Government will change that.
“Drivers are already adopting EVs faster than ever, with one in four new cars sold in November being electric.
“Today’s measures will help us harness the clean energy transition to support thousands of jobs, make the UK a clean energy superpower and renew Britain.”
The consultation will also be part of a “wider effort” to make it easier to charge electric vehicles with a further 100,000 chargers planned by local authorities across England.
The government has pledged to change planning laws to allow extra flexibility in England through permitted development rights when installing off-street EV chargers, as well as allowing charger installers to use on-street permits instead of licenses to make them easier and faster to install charger. .
Secretary of Energy Ed Miliband he said that accelerating the transition to electric vehicles “will advance our mission as a clean energy superpower and bring enormous economic opportunities.”
“It will help drivers access cars that are cheaper to drive, reduce air pollution in our cities and towns, support British manufacturers and provide highly skilled jobs in growth industries,” he said.
Mike Haweschief executive of motoring body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: “The motoring industry welcomes the Government’s review of the end date for the sale of cars powered solely by petrol or diesel, as well as possible changes to flexibility around the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate.
“These are both critical issues for an industry that faces significant challenges globally as it tries to decarbonize ahead of natural market demand.
“In addition to the billions invested in new technologies and products, this year alone has cost manufacturers more than £4 billion in rebates in the UK.
“This is unsustainable and, with the market looking even more under pressure in 2025, it is imperative that we get an urgent solution, with a clear intention to adjust regulation to support delivery, backed by bold incentives to stimulate demand.”
AA chairman Edmund King said: “The AA backed the original 2030 target for sales of new zero-emission cars as ‘challenging but ambitious’ and the results of this consultation should define a firm path to zero-emissions.
“Drivers have understandably been hesitant about the transition, but more clarity on hybrids, vans and support for fast-charging infrastructure planning should give them greater certainty.”
Dan Caesar, chief executive of Electric Vehicles UK, which represents the sector, said: “We welcome the confirmation of the consultation after several consecutive months of clear, growing demand for used and new battery electric vehicles in the UK.
“Zev’s mandate is working and we believe that clarity around the direction of travel will cement the UK’s position as one of the most attractive EV markets on the global stage.”
The consultation will be open for eight weeks and will seek views on which cars will be able to be sold with Zeus from 2030, such as full hybrids and plug-in hybrids, as well as access for vans and small volume manufacturers.