The UK government has extended the ban on sales of new internal combustion cars until 2035. The mandate aims to gradually increase the percentage of zero-emission vehicles sold each year, with a target of reaching 100% by 2035.
The government will maintain the current mandate with the hope that 80% of vehicles will be electric by 2030, Commerce and Trade Secretary Rémi Patenoc said. While the details of the project are yet to be confirmed, it is widely believed to be the case by car manufacturers. Those who fail to comply with the ordinance can face fines of up to £15,000 per vehicle.
However, car manufacturers now face additional challenges due to the new Brexit rules. The rules, known as the “rules of origin”, state that cars manufactured in the EU must be made using mainly domestically sourced parts. For electric vehicles, this means batteries must be manufactured in the UK or EU. A problem is the current lack of capacity to meet this demand.
Renault CEO Luca de Meo expressed concern over the potential impact of the rules, saying raising consumer prices for European electric vehicles was not the right thing to do, especially in the face of fierce international competition. This situation poses a significant challenge for automakers and buyers on the electrification path.
In conclusion, the UK government’s commitment to a zero-emission vehicle mandate shows that the drive towards greener transport remains a priority, even after the withdrawal of the ban on internal combustion engines. However, car manufacturers now face additional pressure to meet mandate requirements while dealing with the complications of Brexit. It remains to be seen how these challenges will affect the electrification of the automotive sector.
