Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Infrastructure and TechnologyLatestNews

“Foolish” to alter ZEV mandate

The charging industry has welcomed reports of the UK Government’s consultation on the ZEV mandate, but warned it would be “foolish” to “backslide” on current commitments.

News that the government looks set to move forward with an industry-wide consultation on the mandate follows a roundtable discussion with vehicle manufacturers and the charging sector last week.

In the discussion with the Department for Transport and the Department for Business and Trade, it was announced that the government would look to develop further plans around the mandate “in due course”, although it did also make a commitment to continue the policy of moving back the end date for sales of ICE vehicles to 2030, after the former Conservative administration moved it to 2035 last autumn.

Dan Caesar, CEO, Electric Vehicles UK:

“The switch to electric vehicles is creating jobs now and this will increase significantly in the immediate future and open up opportunities for the UK. The ZEV Mandate is world-leading legislation that will put the UK firmly on the map with green tech investors and send a clear signal that the country means business when it comes to the global energy transition.

“Clean air and sustainable employment are surely the legacy we all want, and the existing zero emissions mechanisms is critical.”

Quentin Willson, Founder of FairCharge said:

“Ministers should not dilute the UK’s EV ambitions. Long-term Govt policy has made us the second most successful EV market in Europe – an advantage we should strengthen, not weaken. Our ZEV mandate targets are world-leading – don’t let the intense lobbying from legacy auto ruin them.”

Ben Nelmes, CEO of EV think tank New AutoMotive said:

“The UK’s electric car targets are promoting consumer choice and delivering cheaper EVs without expensive taxpayer-funded grants.

“The targets are enabling more motorists than ever before to go electric, and discover the benefits of cheaper, cleaner transport as well as a better driving experience. The UK’s world-leading electric car targets are supporting billions of investment in new charge points and electric vehicle manufacturing.

“The last UK government made the mistake of relaxing electric car targets, with disruptive consequences for businesses and motorists – the new government should not repeat the mistakes of the past.”

Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK said:

“We’re pleased to hear reports that the government is moving ahead with its promised consultation on the ZEV mandate, which we hope will bring much needed clarity to the UK’s electric future and unlock further investment.

“Government could not have been clearer last week in its meeting with the automotive and charging industries that there would be no tinkering with the percentages of electric cars that must be sold ahead of 2030. Any backsliding on that risks inducing the uncertainty that all sides agreed is the very enemy of the EV transition.

“Billions of pounds of investment in the EV charging infrastructure roll out will be put at risk should the ZEV mandate be redrawn. This would be particularly foolish given the charging industry is busy deploying the infrastructure that is essential for the automotive sector to sell EVs and for the UK to meet its net zero goals.

“ChargeUK members are getting on with the job – putting a new charge point in the ground every 25 minutes on average, and urgently need reassurance to enable them to follow through on our commitment to invest over £6 billion up to 2030 ensuring we stay ahead of demand.”

Image from Shutterstock

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