All of this comes shortly after the Business and Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, foretold what he described as “a substantial change of policy” regarding the Government’s view on the transition to EVs.
This comes only weeks before the Government is set to publish its review into the ZEV Mandate which, as it stands, currently calls for 28 per cent of car sales to be EVs this year, rising to 80 per cent by 2030. Manufacturers face fines for not meeting annual targets, and have been lobbying as fiercely for the rules to be relaxed as environmental campaigners and the charge point-installation industry have lobbied for the rules to be adhered to.
The UK CEO of Ford, Lisa Bradkin, recently told Auto Express that the firm could still potentially limit the sales of its internal-combustion cars in order to comply with the above lofty targets, although did mention that it has had “really good engagement with the Government”.
The Government has declined to comment officially on its proposed changes to the ZEV Mandate ahead of an official announcement. Such a statement could be linked to Rachel Reeve’s imminent spring budget statement that’s due on 26 March.
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