LONDON: british car manufacturerswhich have invested billions in electric vehicles, urged the government on Wednesday to rein in its climate policy following reports it could delay a proposed ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars.
After weeks of speculation over the key net zero emissions commitment, several outlets reported on Tuesday night that the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would delay the ban five years to 2035.
He is expected to set out the policy reset, aimed at easing the financial burden on households but criticized by some critics as weakening Britain’s climate goals, in a speech at 1530 GMT on Wednesday.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Britain’s main car trade group, said the country should be a leader in zero-emission transport, a goal that requires “clear and consistent” messages that give confidence to customers. car buyers.
“Confusion and uncertainty will only slow them down,” said SMMT executive director Mike Hawes saying.
Ford, one of Britain’s biggest carmakers with a $50 billion global commitment to electrification, said manufacturers were facing “the biggest industry transformation in more than a century.”
“Our business needs three things from the UK government: ambition, commitment and consistency. A relaxation in 2030 would undermine all three,” said Ford UK president Lisa Brankin.
Peugeot and Vauxhall owner Stellantis, Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover and Volkswagen UK issued separate statements calling for policy certainty.
Speculation about the government’s position on its Green promises grew after Sunak’s Conservatives, who were trailing in opinion polls, narrowly won a by-election in July, mainly due to local opposition to an area low emissions.
Since then, Sunak and his ministers have repeatedly backed the 2030 ban, with Transport Secretary Mark Harper confirming a commitment to a Auto industry conference in London as recently as Monday.
“Moving this date for short-term electoral gain will put both the entire energy transition and the credibility of UK international investment at risk,” said Quentin Willson, founder of British electric vehicle campaign group FairCharge.
The car industry has also lamented a lack of clarity over the government’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) rules, which required an increasing proportion of a manufacturer’s sales to be ZEVs until 2030.
After weeks of speculation over the key net zero emissions commitment, several outlets reported on Tuesday night that the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak would delay the ban five years to 2035.
He is expected to set out the policy reset, aimed at easing the financial burden on households but criticized by some critics as weakening Britain’s climate goals, in a speech at 1530 GMT on Wednesday.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Britain’s main car trade group, said the country should be a leader in zero-emission transport, a goal that requires “clear and consistent” messages that give confidence to customers. car buyers.
“Confusion and uncertainty will only slow them down,” said SMMT executive director Mike Hawes saying.
Ford, one of Britain’s biggest carmakers with a $50 billion global commitment to electrification, said manufacturers were facing “the biggest industry transformation in more than a century.”
“Our business needs three things from the UK government: ambition, commitment and consistency. A relaxation in 2030 would undermine all three,” said Ford UK president Lisa Brankin.
Peugeot and Vauxhall owner Stellantis, Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover and Volkswagen UK issued separate statements calling for policy certainty.
Speculation about the government’s position on its Green promises grew after Sunak’s Conservatives, who were trailing in opinion polls, narrowly won a by-election in July, mainly due to local opposition to an area low emissions.
Since then, Sunak and his ministers have repeatedly backed the 2030 ban, with Transport Secretary Mark Harper confirming a commitment to a Auto industry conference in London as recently as Monday.
“Moving this date for short-term electoral gain will put both the entire energy transition and the credibility of UK international investment at risk,” said Quentin Willson, founder of British electric vehicle campaign group FairCharge.
The car industry has also lamented a lack of clarity over the government’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) rules, which required an increasing proportion of a manufacturer’s sales to be ZEVs until 2030.
Discover more from PressNewsAgency
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.