UK confirms zero-emission vehicle schedule despite change in hybrid target

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain announced on Thursday it will stick to an earlier timetable to phase out fossil fuel-burning cars by 2035, limiting the impact of last week. five year delay to the requirement that gasoline and diesel cars have hybrid engines.

The announcement means last week’s policy change will not cause as much disruption to the industry as some manufacturers feared when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced it in a major speech.

Only 20 per cent of vehicles produced between 2030 and 2035 will be able to burn petrol or diesel, so Sunak’s decision to remove the requirement for them to be hybrid will now affect only a small part of the fleet.

“Our mandate provides certainty for manufacturers, benefits drivers by giving them more choice and helps grow the economy,” said Transportation Minister Mark Harper.

Sunak’s announcement that he would move the 2030 ban on non-hybrid fossil fuel models to 2035 was met with dismay by many in the industry, who said it created uncertainty and could lead to supply chain disruptions.

But the government’s schedule released on Thursday showed there will be no changes to the previous schedule to increase the proportion of vehicles that produce no emissions.

Under the so-called zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) mandate, which will now remain in place, 22% of automakers’ sales next year must be electric, increasing in increments to 80% electric in 2030 and eventually , reaching 100% in 2035.

Industry experts had said that keeping the previous ZEV would mean Sunak’s changes to hybrids would likely end up having only one marginal impact on automobile production.

“Ford has backed plans for a zero-emission vehicle mandate in the UK because it provides a strong investment signal to infrastructure providers to accelerate the installation of new charging points,” Ford said. (FN) UK President Lisa Brankin said in a statement.

The clarity on goals was welcomed across the auto industry.

“With less than 100 days to go, manufacturers finally have clarity on what they need to sell next year and into 2030,” Mike Hawes, chief executive of auto industry group Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said in a statement. (SMMT). .

“It is worth noting that the mandate means the UK still maintains the most ambitious transition schedule of any major market, but without any incentive for the private consumer.”

Campaigners have said the government was sending mixed signals by ordering manufacturers to increase production of zero-emission vehicles while giving consumers more time to switch away from gasoline and diesel cars.

The government also maintained its previous target of selling 70% electric vans by 2030 and 100% by 2035, although it softened some targets for the next three years.

“The Government is sending mixed messages in a crucial policy area,” said Ian Plummer, business director at UK online car marketplace Auto Trader. (AUTOA.L). “The key now will be to help consumers make the switch.”

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