Potential changes to electric vehicle rules called for by Nissan and other car manufacturers have been outlined by the Government.
A consultation has been launched into the phase-out of petrol and diesel cars, with automotive and charging experts invited to share their views in a bid to “restore clarity” for automotive firms and the charging industry.
The consultation follows warnings from Nissan, which had said the Government’s zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) mandate put jobs and investment into its Sunderland plant at risk. The mandate sets out the percentage of electric vehicles that firms had to sell, with significant penalties if they did not meet them.
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Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is asking for views from industry on how to deliver Labour’s manifesto commitment to restore the 2030 phase-out date for new purely petrol and diesel cars. The 2030 date had been extended to 2035 by the previous Government.
Nissan has committed to transitioning fully to electric cars with a world-leading strategy at its Sunderland plant that sees it using renewable energy and batteries from the adjoining AESC site. But it had said that the ZEV mandate “risks undermining the business case for manufacturing cars in the 海角视频, and the viability of thousands of jobs and billions of pounds in investment” and called for “urgent action from the Government by the end of the year to avoid a potentially irreversible impact on the 海角视频 automotive sector.”
Ms Alexander said: “Employing 152,000 people and adding £19bn to our economy, the 海角视频’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.
“Drivers are already embracing EVs faster than ever, with one in four new cars sold in November electric. Today’s measures will help us capitalise on the clean energy transition to support thousands of jobs, make the 海角视频 a clean energy superpower, and rebuild Britain.”
The consultation proposes updates to the 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 Government said it wanted to provide “flexibilities” to support manufacturers, including the inclusion of hybrid cars alongside electric vehicles that can be sold between 2030 and 2035.
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The consultation will also be part of a “wider push” to make charging electric vehicles easier with another 100,000 chargers planned by local authorities across England. The Government has committed to changing planning legislation to provide additional flexibility in England through permitted development rights when installing off-street electric vehicle chargepoints, as well as allowing chargepoint installers to use street works permits instead of licences to make it easier and quicker to install chargers.
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 our domestic manufacturers to transition to zero emission vehicles and over £300 million to drive consumer uptake.”
Mike Hawes, chief executive of automotive industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: “The automotive industry welcomes Government’s review of both the end of sale date for cars powered solely by petrol or diesel, and possible changes to the flexibilities around the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate. These are both critical issues for an industry that is facing significant challenges globally as it tries to decarbonise ahead of natural market demand.”
Huge challenges in the automotive industry have seen Nissan announce 9,000 job losses globally, though it has not said how its Sunderland plant will be affected. Job cuts have also been announced by Ford and Vauxhall owner Stellantis in recent weeks.
A Nissan spokesperson said: “Nissan remains committed to a fully-electric future and has consistently supported the aims of the 海角视频’s ZEV Mandate. We welcome the consultation announced today and look forward to continuing our work with the 海角视频 Government to support the future of the 海角视频 automotive industry and help more people to make the switch to EV.”