The government has set out its path for all new cars to be ZEV by 2035, in an effort to provide clarity to manufacturers.
The move comes after the prime minister made the decision to push the date for the requirement back from 2030 to 2035, and received a large amount of criticism from car manufacturers.
It will mean that 80% of new cars sold will have to be zero emissions by 2030, while 70% of new vans sold will be required to be emissions free, before upping to 100% by 2035; the plans also set out measures for increasing the number of charge points, and set out a plug-in van grant to help lower the up front running costs of owning an EV.
“The path to zero emissions vehicles announced today makes sure the route to get there is proportionate, pragmatic and realistic for families,” said transport secretary Mark Harper.
“Our mandate provides certainty for manufacturers, benefits drivers by providing more options and helps grow the economy by creating skilled jobs.”
“We are also making it easier than ever to own an electric vehicle, from reaching record levels of chargepoints providing more options, and helps grow the economy by creating skilled jobs.”
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Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) chief executive Mike Hawes said: “We welcome the clarity the mandate’s publication provides for the next six years and the flexibilities it contains to support pragmatic, equitable delivery across this diverse sector.”
“Manufacturers offer a vast range of zero emissions vehicles, but demand must also match supply – that means making ZEV’s affordable by incentivising drivers to make the switch now and delivering the infrastructure to meet consumer requirements”.
Greenpeace were, however, critical of the decision. The NGO’s transport campaigner Paul Morozzo said:
“Sunak’s sending more mixed signals than a faulty traffic light. This mandate is absolutely essential to making electric vehicles cheaper and more accessible, as well as slashing emissions. But forcing car manufacturers to make EVs, while telling consumers they don’t need to buy them is completely hairbrained”.
“The government must stop with its disjointed approach to policy making, acknowledge the threat the climate crisis poses to this country, reinstate the 2030 petrol and diesel phase out date and rapidly improve charging infrastructure. Otherwise we risk failing to meet our legally-binding climate commitments and the loss of many thousands of jobs with the decline of car manufacturing in the UK.”
