Andy Burnham has been urged to make five crucial motoring changes when he takes office as Prime Minister on Monday. The future Labour leader has been called upon to adjust electric vehicle (EV) legislation, including cutting VAT on public charging and introducing new grants for used EVs.
Five Key Demands for the New PM
Matt Galvin, Managing Director of Polestar UK, stressed that Burnham took “decisive action” on air quality as Mayor of Greater Manchester and urged him to stabilise the UK's EV ambitions. Galvin outlined five specific tweaks: introducing grants for used EVs, a scrappage scheme for the most polluting vehicles, maintaining the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars, delaying EV taxation until EVs become the majority on roads, and reducing VAT on public charging.
Supporting the Second-Hand EV Market
Galvin emphasised the importance of the pre-owned EV market. “With second-hand EV sales growing, the new government must accelerate this by stimulating the pre-owned market through grants and a scrappage scheme for the most polluting vehicles. This is where most people buy their cars and it will be the engine of future growth,” he said.
The previous Conservative government’s Plug-In Car Grant, which offered up to £1,500 off new EVs, ended on June 14. Currently, a £650 million Electric Car Grant provides discounts of up to £3,750 on models priced up to £37,000. Meanwhile, Transport for London’s ULEZ scrappage scheme, which offered up to £2,000 to scrap polluting vehicles, ended in September 2024.
Maintaining the 2030 Petrol and Diesel Ban
Galvin also stressed that Labour must uphold the 2030 deadline for ending sales of new petrol and diesel cars, despite industry pressure to delay. “The government must also maintain the 2030 deadline for ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, delay electric vehicle tax until EVs represent the majority of cars on our roads and reduce VAT on public charging,” he said.
He added: “Together, these measures will lower motoring costs, strengthen energy security, and create thousands of skilled jobs. Recent international volatility has underlined the need to seize every opportunity to take greater control of our economy and reduce our dependence on global energy markets. It is an opportunity we must seize with both hands.”
Background: Confusing EV Policy Under Starmer
Under outgoing PM Sir Keir Starmer, Labour’s EV policy has been seen as confusing: ZEV Mandate targets were watered down, and Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a new electric pay-per-mile fee starting in 2028. Burnham is set to enter Downing Street on Monday after winning majority support from Labour MPs.
