Prime Minister Andy Burnham has dismissed reports that his government is preparing to slash electric vehicle (EV) sales targets, saying no decision has been made on the zero-emission vehicle (Zev) mandate.
Reports emerged on Monday (November 9) that his de facto deputy, Louise Haigh, is expected to agree this week to cut the EV sales target by about a quarter. Mr Burnham is preparing to attend the Cop 31 climate summit, which begins on Monday in Antalya on Turkey's southern coast, marking his first attendance as Prime Minister.
Consultation Still Being Reviewed
During a visit to Walford, Mr Burnham was asked how he would justify such a move to those who see it as eroding the Government's commitment to the green agenda. He confirmed the issue is still being examined.
He said: "Well, the consultation on the mandate for zero-emission vehicles concluded only a fortnight ago, so obviously that is being looked at now. The range of responses to the consultation… so these reports are just that: they're reports, they're speculation and no decision has been made at this point."
In August, the Government launched a consultation on the Zev mandate amid concerns from carmakers about the impact of the order to phase out the sale of purely petrol or diesel cars and vans.
Current Targets and Potential Changes
Under the current regime, 80 per cent of car sales are required to be zero emission, usually electric-powered, by 2030. Hybrids are allowed to make up the rest, but under the options set out in the consultation, the target could be cut to as low as 50 per cent.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has previously called the current mandate a 'fantasy' and welcomed the review. According to The Guardian, the Government is expected to sign off on a 60 per cent target.
The potential move has triggered criticism from green campaigners due to its timing as the international climate conference takes place. The Prime Minister's official spokesman insisted Mr Burnham remained committed to tackling climate change.
Government Position and Reactions
The spokesperson emphasised that Mr Burnham's attendance at the Cop 31 summit sends a 'clear message that the UK remains a climate leader'.
"The Government is fully behind the zero emission vehicle mandate, and no decisions have been taken yet. We're sticking to our commitments: on phasing out new cars that run only on petrol or diesel by 2030, (that) every new car and van will be zero emissions by 2035 and our legally binding net zero targets. None of that is changing. The consultation is about getting the details right, so the switch works for drivers, for carmakers and for the hundreds of workers whose jobs depend on it," they said.
The Prime Minister withdrew because of his wife Marie-France van Heel's work advising the board of the Manchester-based electric vehicle charging network Be.EV, with Ms Haigh overseeing the Government's decision-making process.
Criticising the potential move, Catherine Fookes, the MP for Monmouthshire, told The Guardian: "The Government has some incredibly difficult decisions to make in the coming months and the Prime Minister will need to weigh up the consequences of each. We need the ZEV mandate to stay, and Rosebank (oil field) to be rejected."
The Labour Climate and Environment Forum added in a social media post: "The Government is right to support the industry and its workers, but weakening the mandate will do little to help."
Green MP Sian Berry stated: "The switch to EVs has the potential to create greater emissions savings than any other energy transition policy, while providing drivers with vehicles that can be significantly cheaper to run. Yet again, this Labour Government is heading in the wrong direction. Instead of pandering to corporate lobbying and stalling on the phase-out of petrol and diesel vehicles, they should be boosting EV uptake through vehicle scrappage schemes and cheaper, more abundant and more reliable public charging infrastructure."
