A coalition of some of the largest manufacturers in the world has called on Labour to ignore calls to change the terms of an electric vehicle mandate.
Electric Vehicles UK has urged the Government to resist pressure to dilute the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, warning that this would dramatically impact net zero measures.
The ZEV mandate requires manufacturers to have a certain percentage of sales come from zero emission vehicles. The 2025 target is 28 per cent, and will rise to 80 per cent by the end of the decade.
The EVUK coalition, which includes the likes of Tesla, Volvo, Polestar, Chery, Omoda and Jaecoo, has warned that electric vehicle uptake could plummet if rules are changed.
It comes as automakers and companies that rely on internal combustion engine vehicles have pressured the Government to weaken the terms of the ZEV mandate.
Electric vehicles regularly account for more than 25 per cent of all UK car sales, while the second-hand market is also growing at a rapid pace.
Research from EVUK shows that more than nine in 10 EV drivers will never go back to combustion vehicles, proving the consumer interest in zero emission vehicles.
Tanya Sinclair, CEO of Electric Vehicles UK, said the coalition had come together to emphasise how “business-critical” the ZEV mandate is to promote the sale of EVs.
Labour has been urged to avoid making further changes to the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate
|
PA
She continued, saying: “The rumours and unconfirmed plans around motor tax and the ZEV mandate need to be clarified once and for all, with the government backing UK industry to deliver an ambitious transition to electric vehicles.
“If the UK Government gives us clarity of vision, we can give the UK driving public great EV products and services.”
Similarly, Dan Caesar, founder of EVUK, highlighted how changes to the ZEV mandate made earlier this year have been estimated to have “cost up to two million” EV sales out of six million by 2030.
From 2030, the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles will be banned, while only zero emission cars will be on sale five years later.
Mr Caesar said: “To further dilute the targets, when industry as a whole is on track to meet them, and only because one or two legacy manufacturers have not heeded the inevitability of electrification, could be catastrophic for the industry, its adjacent sectors, and for the UK’s economic growth.
The coalition, which also features leading players from across the energy, charging and finance sectors, including Octopus and OVO, has also warned that policy decisions made next week could have a huge impact.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce pay-per-mile charges for electric vehicles on Wednesday, November 26, despite mass backlash from the electric vehicle industry.
Reports suggest that electric vehicle drivers will have to pay three pence per mile from 2028, despite new car tax requirements being introduced earlier this year.
The boss of Polestar has called on other manufacturers to ensure climate goals are met
|
POLESTARA Treasury spokesperson told GB News that a “fairer system” of taxation is needed, noting that there is no equivalent to fuel duty for electric vehicles.
Matt Galvin, managing director of Polestar UK, emphasised that any changes to the ZEV mandate would be disastrous for manufacturers, who plan vehicle lifecycles long in advance.
The Polestar boss said manufacturers needed to “hold our course” and continue to try and meet “vital” climate goals, powered by strong adoption.
Nic Thomas, UK MD of Changan, an emerging manufacturer which launched in the UK recently, said the ZEV mandate was a “statement of intent” about the kind of future that will benefit motorists.