Polestar boss calls for fines to fund electric vehicle sales boost

In the UK, Polestar UK's Managing Director, Matt Galvin, has expressed significant frustration regarding the government's support for electric vehicles (EVs). He argues that the UK ranks poorly compared to other European nations, particularly when it comes to offering incentives for EV adoption. Galvin criticizes the government's expensive car supplement that applies to EVs over £40,000, claiming that it is outdated and does not account for inflation from its inception in 2017. Furthermore, recent suggestions by Transport for London (TfL) to extend the congestion charge to cover electric vehicles have exacerbated concerns about the transition to cleaner transportation. Galvin believes that with retail demand for electric cars struggling, an approach focused on incentives rather than penalties is essential to encourage more people to switch to electric vehicles. He contends that the current system discourages adoption and suggests that instead of imposing penalties, the government should create exemptions from the congestion charge for EV drivers and offer better parking arrangements. He also emphasizes the need for fiscal incentives tailored specifically for retail consumers to consider purchasing EVs without placing the financial burden on taxpayers. To fund these incentives, Galvin proposes redirecting the fines payable by car manufacturers that fail to comply with the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate. This mandate aims to increase the percentage of EV sales by manufacturers, with a target of 28% set for 2025. He expresses concern that recent adjustments to the ZEV mandate, which allow more flexibility through a credit system, merely delay the progress towards zero-emission vehicles. Galvin warns that the current lack of urgency will lead to a challenging situation by 2029, as manufacturers will not have met their targets if they continue to