Keir Starmer and Ed Miliband have come under fire for their handling of the petrol and diesel car ban, with critics arguing the policy is out of control and opposed by the car industry. The Labour leadership has pressed on with the Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, which originally set a target of 80% of new car sales being electric by 2030. According to reports, Ed Miliband strongly opposed any reduction in these targets, despite widespread industry pushback.
Industry Experts Question Feasibility
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has stated that no one in the industry believes the original 80% target is achievable. Manufacturers are already struggling to meet current targets, and the UK's electric vehicle market share stands at just 23.9% this year. The SMMT suggests that natural demand may be even lower than that figure, making even a reduced target of 50% by 2030 seem unrealistic.
Keir Starmer eventually overruled Miliband, watering down the plans to cut the target to 50%. However, critics argue that this is still too ambitious. The current market share indicates that a 50% sales target in just four years is far from reachable, especially given the lack of consumer demand and infrastructure challenges.
Political Backlash and Historical Context
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had previously pushed back the ban to 2035, but Labour reversed this decision upon taking office. In their manifesto, they claimed that restoring the 2030 phase-out date would provide “certainty to manufacturers.” However, the subsequent backtracking on targets has been described as chaotic rather than reassuring.
According to Luke Chillingsworth, Cars Reporter for the Express, the policy has been met with fury from drivers and industry experts alike. “Keir Starmer has just given drivers a final slap in the face - and we should be livid,” he wrote in a recent opinion piece. The article highlights that forcing manufacturers to invest in EV production lines or discount new cars to meet sales targets, only to later water down the rules, creates instability rather than certainty.
Market Realities vs. Political Ambition
Electric cars offer many advantages, but the forced transition has been criticized as premature. The current market share of 23.9% suggests that British drivers are not yet ready for a full EV transition. The SMMT has indicated that natural demand may be less than half of even that figure, meaning the 50% target is still a long way off.
The article concludes that the government should allow the market to determine the pace of the transition, rather than imposing unrealistic mandates. “Electric has proved it's a capable option for transport, but forcing everyone to have it as their only option is a big and costly mistake,” the piece states.
