Polestar's Matt Galvin criticizes UK electric car incentives
- Matt Galvin, CEO of Polestar, claims the UK has the weakest government incentives for electric vehicles in Europe.
- The UK government has introduced a zero emission vehicle mandate, but Galvin believes it is insufficient for consumer transition.
- He calls for government action, including VAT reductions and support for the used car market, to stimulate EV adoption.
Matt Galvin, the CEO of Polestar, has criticized the UK government for its lack of incentives for electric vehicle (EV) adoption, labeling the country as the worst in Europe for such initiatives. The UK has implemented a zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which requires car manufacturers to sell a certain percentage of zero-emission vehicles each year, with targets set to increase through 2025. However, Galvin argues that the current approach is insufficient and that consumers need more support to transition to EVs. He emphasizes that the responsibility for incentivizing this shift should not solely fall on manufacturers. Other car makers are already offering significant discounts on EVs to stimulate demand, highlighting the need for government action. Galvin suggests that the government should consider reducing VAT on new electric cars and providing support for the used car market to make EVs more accessible. Despite the Labour Party's reinstatement of a ban on new internal combustion-engine cars by 2030, there is still uncertainty regarding the future of hybrid vehicles. The Department for Transport has promised to clarify this matter soon.