The UK government has launched a consultation inviting the automotive and charging industries to provide input on restoring the 2030 phase-out date for new petrol and diesel cars.
The consultation seeks feedback on the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which sets annual targets for the percentage of ZEVs manufacturers must sell through 2030.
Additionally, the government said it is exploring measures to support the transition, including assessing flexibilities in the mandate and addressing challenges in electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure development.
UK transport secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Employing 152,000 people and adding £19bn to our economy, the UK’s automotive industry is a huge asset to our nation – and the transition to electric is an unprecedented opportunity to attract investment, harness British innovation and deliver growth for generations to come.”
In the UK, one in four cars sold in November were electric, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The SMMT claims this represents a 58% year-on-year increase, while charging infrastructure has also reportedly increased to more than 72,000 public chargepoints.
The Labour government has reportedly invested more than £2.3bn to boost domestic EV production and consumer uptake.
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This includes initiatives to improve grid connections for chargepoints and streamline installation processes.
The consultation also proposes changes to planning legislation, facilitating the rollout of zero-emission vans and further electrifying the freight sector.
UK energy secretary Ed Miliband called the initiative a “critical step” in achieving clean energy ambitions while creating high-quality jobs in emerging industries.
The consultation is open to stakeholders across the automotive and charging sectors.
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