A group of automotive and EV firms, including Ford, Britishvolt and Octopus Electric Vehicles, have signed a letter calling on the government to ensure the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate comes into effect from 2024.
The mandate, which will stipulate the percentage of electric vehicles that automakers must produce, is currently under consultation. The signatories said that the UK is “within sight” of the previously floated 22% base level. In September, 17% of new cars sold were electric.
The Zero Emission Vehicle mandate has previously been slated to come into force in 2024, but will require legislation first.
The letter, addressed to the Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper and the Secretary for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Grant Shapps, called on the government to show “leadership in the decarbonisation of road transport”.
The open letter was also signed by ChargePoint, char.gy, Mer, Pod Point, EO, Osprey, FairCharge, NewAutoMotive and EVA England.
“Given the success of the UK government’s approach in driving take-up of electric vehicles thus far, we would encourage ministers to protect the current ZEV mandate trajectory by limiting the
flexibilities allowed under a ZEV mandate, to avoid watering down the impact of the investment signal,” the letter stated.
The government has already declared that the sale of petrol and diesel cars is to end before 2030.
Ensuring the mandate sticks to the 2024 timeline will help the government meet this target, the signatories said. They added that more infrastructure, such as EV charging stations, will be needed to meet these efforts.
It comes as EV battery maker Britishvolt faces uncertainty over its future, with staff taking a temporary pay reduction as it seeks long-term funding to stave off administration.
When asked for an update on the funding situation a spokesperson for the firm told UKTN there are likely to be further updates “this week”.
Other British startups pushing towards zero-emission vehicles include EV manufacturer Arrival and hydrogen truck maker Tevva.
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