Labour considers easing electric vehicle sales targets amid industry warnings
- Labour is under pressure from car manufacturers to reconsider the zero-emission vehicle mandate.
- Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will announce a consultation following lobbying due to job loss concerns.
- Changes to the electric vehicle sales targets could be made while maintaining plans for phasing out petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
In the UK, Labour is responding to pressure from the automotive industry regarding electric vehicle sales targets. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is initiating a 'fast track' consultation due to intense lobbying by car manufacturers, who claim that the current zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate jeopardizes jobs and investment. The government mandated that at least 22% of new car sales must be ZEV this year, aiming for an increase to 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2035, alongside a ban on non-zero-emission vehicles. Manufacturers, including Nissan, have expressed concerns that such targets could harm the UK's automotive manufacturing sector. The Business Secretary plans to assure manufacturers that the government is committed to supporting the transition to electric vehicles while possibly adjusting the sales percentages required from each manufacturer.