Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has launched a consultation to ask views from industry on 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 government said the consultation would restore “clarity” for carmakers and the charging industry and give them confidence to invest in manufacturing and infrastructure.
Critically, the consultation proposes updates to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, which sets out the percentage of new zero emission cars and vans manufacturers will be required to sell each year up to 2030.
The consultation will look at the current mandate in details, look at 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.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Employing 152,000 people and adding £19 billion 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.
“Yet over the last few years, our automotive industry has been stifled by a lack of certainty and direction. This government will change that.”
