The Department for Transport (DfT) has initiated a consultation aimed at reinstating the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. This effort seeks to provide clarity for vehicle manufacturers and the charging infrastructure industry.
The consultation includes suggestions to update the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, which specifies the annual amount of new zero-emission cars and vans to be sold leading up to 2030. The Mandate already offers flexibility to industry bodies, allowing them to meet targets ‘in a way that makes sense for them and the wider market’.
Currently, the ZEV Mandate allows manufacturers to offset shortfalls in zero-emission vehicle sales through other methods. The consultation will examine these guidelines to ensure they are still meeting the needs of suppliers.
The DfT emphasised its focus on determining ‘how, not if, we reach the 2030 target’. It aims to let stakeholders assess the current progress of the transition, including its flexibility, which hybrid cars can be sold between 2030 and 2035, and any other factors that would help achieve the phase-out.
The department also noted that the original 2030 phase-out date had strong industry support before it was extended to 2035 by the previous Government. Additionally, it stated that over two-thirds of UK car manufacturers have already committed to a full switch to electric vehicles by 2030.
Heidi Alexander, transport secretary, said: “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.
“Today’s measures will help us capitalise on the clean energy transition to support thousands of jobs, make the UK a clean energy superpower, and rebuild Britain.”
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