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The UK government's recent decision to weaken electric vehicle (EV) sales rules is facing strong criticism from its official climate advisor and sparking alarm within the automotive industry. The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has warned that the move could lead to higher carbon emissions and fewer EVs on British roads, Daily Dazzling Dawn understands.
In April, the government introduced "flexibilities" into its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which compels carmakers to increase EV sales annually or face significant fines. This decision followed heavy lobbying from the car industry, which argued the original targets were economically unsustainable. However, experts believe these flexibilities will result in a surge in sales of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which, due to their combination of a polluting internal combustion engine and smaller batteries, emit considerably more carbon than pure EVs.
The CCC, in a letter to Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood, highlighted that the Department for Transport's analysis incorrectly assumed carmakers wouldn't exploit these flexibilities to sell more PHEVs. Transport & Environment (T&E), a campaign group, estimates this change could result in an additional 500,000 PHEVs on UK roads by 2030, undermining the country's climate goals.
While Transport Minister Heidi Alexander claims the ZEV mandate changes will have a "negligible change to the carbon emissions", the CCC's analysis directly contradicts this. Piers Forster, the CCC's interim chair, stated the changes could significantly impact emission savings.
Ben Nelmes, CEO of the think tank New AutoMotive, criticized the government's actions, stating, "The CCC's verdict is clear: ministerial meddling with electric car rules risks creating damaging uncertainty. Drivers will be the ones picking up the tab, waiting longer to benefit from EV savings, while net zero defeatists cheer from the sidelines."
Some within the EV industry expressed disappointment that the CCC did not explicitly call for a reversal of the policy changes. Tim Dexter, vehicle policy manager for T&E, said the revised mandate jeopardizes climate goals and increases costs for drivers.
Colin Walker, head of transport for the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, warned of a potential "considerable" increase in vehicle emissions. He added that the changes risk distracting the UK's car industry from transitioning to EVs, potentially leading to factory closures and job losses as the world shifts towards fully electric vehicles.
The CCC also criticized the government's decision to delay the ban on petrol and diesel van sales to 2035, urging a return to the original 2030 target.
A Department for Transport spokesperson defended the changes, stating they strike a "practical balance" by allowing flexibility for PHEVs until 2035 while maintaining the 2030 phase-out of new petrol and diesel cars. They claim the changes will have a "minimal impact on emissions" and protect jobs.
These changes come alongside existing car sales rules in the UK, which include the Consumer Rights Act 2015, ensuring vehicles are of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. The Act provides consumers with a 30-day right to reject faulty vehicles and seek repairs or replacements within the first six months. The UK government has also relaxed rules around the 2030 petrol and diesel car ban, allowing hybrids to be sold until 2035 and exempting smaller carmakers from EVsales quotas.
