Labour is pushing for renewed government action to propel the electric vehicle (EV) revolution, acknowledging the UK currently trails behind China by approximately a decade in EV adoption. The party’s proposed policies aim to bolster both consumer confidence and manufacturing capabilities within the automotive sector.
At the heart of Labour’s plan is a commitment to reinstate the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales—a direct response to the Conservative government’s recent decision to postpone this deadline until 2035, aligning with European policy.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander affirmed this goal earlier in the year, stating that only zero-emission vehicles will be available for purchase after 2035. This stance represents a significant shift from the Conservative’s revised timeline.
The current Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate marks its fifth revision since inception and has sparked debate among industry experts regarding the role of hybrid vehicle sales. While hybrids will still be permitted for purchase after 2030, concerns remain that their presence could impede the faster adoption of fully battery-powered electric vehicles and hinder progress towards net zero targets.
James Court, Public Policy Director at Octopus Electric Vehicles, emphasized the UK’s continued strength in automotive manufacturing. He stated: “We’re already 10 years behind China. We need to be stepping on the gas and making sure the transition happens quicker for the manufacturing industry.” You’ve actually got more time when it comes to the purchasing and the buying of cars, what we need to accelerate is the manufacturing side.
Despite the challenges, the UK already holds a substantial position in the EV market. Recent data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) indicates that battery electric vehicles now account for nearly 20% of new car sales. March saw particularly strong performance, with EVs achieving record registration numbers – over 69,313 new vehicles registered.
Demand for plug-in hybrids and traditional hybrids is also increasing, representing 15.7% and 9.5% of the market respectively.
Sales of petrol and diesel cars are declining in line with the UK’s net zero objectives and ZEV mandate targets:
- Petrol car sales decreased by 0.4%, with 176,847 new registrations.
- Diesel car sales plummeted to just under 21,000 new registrations.
A Government spokesperson responded: “We recognise the global challenges car manufacturers face and have listened to their concerns by consulting on reinstating the 2030 phase out date of new petrol and diesel car sales whilst also protecting jobs – a decision supported by a majority of manufacturers who have been working towards this date, and are on track to meet their ZEV mandate targets. We’re investing over £2.3billion to support industry and consumers make the switch, tapping into a multibillion-pound industry that will create high-paid jobs for decades to come, make the UK a clean energy superpower and help deliver our Plan for Change.”
However, experts agree that further policy adjustments are necessary to ensure EVs become the dominant form of road transport.
