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Government expected to cut electric vehicle sales targets this week

Summarised from 5 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 9 Nov, 09:06 · Archive

The government is expected to reduce its mandate that 80 per cent of new cars sold in the UK must be electric by 2030.

The UK government is expected to announce significant cuts to its electric vehicle targets this week, a move that will relieve carmakers but alarm environmental groups and Labour MPs. Under the current rules, 80 per cent of new cars sold in the UK must be electric by 2030, with all new car and van sales required to be zero emission by 2035. New petrol or diesel cars are due to be phased out by 2030.

Louise Haigh, the de facto deputy prime minister, will finalise the plan following a crunch meeting in Downing Street on Wednesday with leaders from the transport, energy and business departments. The Guardian reports that government sources say the plan could involve cutting the 2030 target by about a quarter. A government source told the BBC the government would approach the issue in a 'pragmatic and balanced' way, though Downing Street has insisted no decision has been made.

The Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) mandate was introduced by the previous government and is the government's single biggest decarbonisation policy. It is expected to create greater emissions savings than any other policy. Industry groups have long called for 'urgent relief' from what they say are unattainable targets, citing higher inflation, a squeeze on living standards and supply chain disruption. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders warned the industry will miss the 2026 target of 33 per cent by a wide margin.

Many Labour MPs have expressed concern about the expected cuts. Lizzi Collinge, the Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said the upcoming decision on the ZEV mandate would have 'a huge climate impact, possibly the biggest one that's on the PM's desk'. Catherine Fookes, the MP for Monmouthshire, told The Guardian: 'The government has some incredibly difficult decisions to make in the coming months and the prime minister will need to weigh up the consequences of each. We need the ZEV mandate to stay, and Rosebank to be rejected.'

Paul McNamee, director of the Labour Climate and Environment Forum, told The Guardian: 'Significant weakening of the ZEV mandate from the current 80 per cent targets will be seen as a rowing back on climate leadership.' Sustainability groups have said any weakening of the 2030 target will threaten the UK's long-term electrification and climate goals.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has recused himself from the decision because of his wife's previous work with electric vehicles. The decision comes as Burnham prepares to attend his first COP climate summit in Turkey this week alongside foreign secretary Ed Miliband, where the UK is expected to champion electrification on a global scale. Some see this as sending mixed signals, particularly given the government's earlier approval of the Jackdaw gasfield in the North Sea.

A government spokesperson told The Mirror: 'The Government is united in its commitment to the ZEV Mandate, and no decisions have been taken. We are committed to the phase out of all new cars relying solely on petrol and diesel engines by 2030, and to 100 per cent of new car and van sales being zero emission by 2035, and our legally binding net zero targets.'

Government expected to cut electric vehicle sales targets this week
Image: The Mirror

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How it is being reported

In this story: Louise Haigh · Andy Burnham · Ed Miliband · UK · Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders · Labour

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log