Andy Burnham’s latest decision could “undermine” the UK car industry and affect “consumer confidence”, according to a leading motoring expert. The Prime Minister has opened a review into the UK’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, with electric car sales targets likely to be watered down.
Under the current plan, manufacturers must ensure that 80% of all cars are zero-emission by 2030, with some exemptions for hybrids.
However, a new consultation opened by the Department for Transport (DfT) has suggested that targets could drop to just 50% in a major Labour U-turn. The decision comes after the UK car industry and manufacturers continued to raise warnings around the targets, but an expert feels the move could come back to bite.
Speaking exclusively to The Express, Tom Jervis, consumer writer at Auto Express admitted that there was a concern that any changes to the scheme risked “undermining the progress” made by the UK’s EV transition up tp this point.
Tom explained: “The switch to EVs is a crucial and inevitable change, and while it must be balanced alongside the socioeconomic cost, both for consumers and automotive manufacturers, there is a risk that any further changes, or softening of rules will undermine the progress that has been made.
“We need consistency and clarity – for consumers and manufacturers – and we hope the Prime Minister can provide that. We need a clear path if we are to improve consumer confidence in EVs.”
Although the total EV sales quotas are being reviewed, officials have stressed that the Government is still sticking to 2030 to end the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles.
If the changes were approved, it would mean manufacturers could fill the remaining 50% with plug-in hybrid models. After campaigning for change, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) welcomed news of the review.
The DfT explained that the review will ensure that the policy “remains effective in delivering the transition to zero emissions vehicles” while supporting consumers and industry.
The Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, stressed that the Government “must support the industry to play its part in the transition”, but added that it was vital the UK remained attractive for manufacturers to base their operations. However, many EV specialists rejected the news and instead called on officials to do more to support EV growth.
Vicky Edmonds, Chief Executive Officer of EVA England said: “The Government should look honestly at why EV demand has not grown as quickly as expected.
“But the answer is not to lower the ambition of the ZEV mandate – which has been absolutely critical for creating a market of EVs that people want to buy. It has to be to fix the things that are stopping drivers from making the switch.”
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