Government consultation aims to restore clarity on phase out of ICEs

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has launched a consultation into how to deliver on the manifesto commitment to restore the 2030 phase out date for new purely petrol and diesel cars and make the transition to zero emissions vehicles a success.

The 2030 phase out date was broadly supported by industry before the previous UK government extended the phase out to 2035. Currently more than two-thirds of car manufacturers in the UK have already committed to fully transitioning to electric cars by 2030.

The new consultation is designed to restore clarity for vehicle manufacturers and the charging industry so that they have the confidence to invest in the UK in the long-term and drive growth in the UK automotive industry.

The consultation proposes updates to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, which is the joint responsibility of the UK government, the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, the Scottish Government, and the Welsh Government. The mandate sets out the percentage of new zero emission cars and vans manufacturers will be required to sell each year up to 2030.

To support manufacturers in the transition, the ZEV Mandate already features a range of flexibilities to help industry comply in a way that makes sense for them and the wider market, including selling fewer zero emission vehicles than the headline target if they make up for it in other ways. The consultation explores the design of the flexibilities to ensure they continue to support manufacturers.

This consultation is focused on how, not if, to reach the 2030 target. It will give the sector the opportunity to consider how the current arrangements and flexibilities are working, which hybrid cars can be sold alongside zero emission models between 2030 and 2035, and any further support measures to help make the transition a success for industry and consumers.

Getting this transition right and supporting the growth of the electric vehicle market in the UK, says the government, will enable Britain to tap into a multibillion-pound industry, creating high paid jobs for decades to come.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said, “Employing 152,000 people and adding £19 bn to our economy, the UK’s automotive industry is a huge asset to our nation — and the transition to electric is an unprecedented opportunity to attract investment, harness British innovation, and deliver growth for generations to come.”

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said, “There is no route to net zero without backing British industries and workers. There are huge advantages for British industry and we must make sure decarbonisation creates jobs and opportunities.

“We are steadfast in our mission to help our world-leading automotive industry thrive, and this consultation will look at how we can support manufacturers, investors, and the wider industry to reach their targets.

“This government is backing the auto sector with £2bn to support domestic manufacturers to transition to zero emission vehicles and over £300m to drive consumer uptake.

“Charging infrastructure will continue to match the rising sales of EVs, with another 100,000 chargers planned by local authorities all across England under the government’s Local EV Infrastructure Fund.”

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said, “Accelerating the transition to electric vehicles will drive forward our clean energy superpower mission and brings huge economic opportunities. It will help drivers access cars that are cheaper to run, cut air pollution in our cities and towns, back British manufacturers and provide highly-skilled jobs in emerging industries.”