The UK government has launched a consultation on the phasing-out of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. The move aims to “restore clarity” for vehicle manufacturers and the charging industry. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander wants industry views from automotive and charging experts on how to deliver Labour’s manifesto commitment to restore the 2030 deadline. The previous Conservative government had extended it to 2035.
The government is consulting with the industry over how to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. Last month, Ford said the UK government’s mandate to produce and sell more electric vehicles (EVs) “just doesn’t work” without demand. Lisa Brankin, Ford UK’s chair and managing director, said “The one thing that we really need is government-backed incentives to urgently boost the uptake of electric vehicles.”
The consultation proposes updates to the Zero Emission Vehicle (Zev) mandate, which sets out the percentage of new zero emission cars and vans that manufacturers will be required to sell each year up to 2030. However, firms have also announced thousands of job cuts, partly because of EV targets. Last month, EVs made up one in four cars sold in the UK, Ms Alexander said, with drivers “already embracing EVs faster than ever”.
The government said the consultation would be part of a “wider push” to make it easier and cheaper to charge electric cars. There are now more than 72,000 public charging points in the UK, with another 100,000 planned by local authorities across England. Mike Hawes, chief executive of automotive industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said the automotive industry welcomed the government’s “review of both the end of sale date for cars powered solely by petrol or diesel, and possible changes to the flexibilities around the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate
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