The UK government’s decision to relax its electric vehicle sales mandate has been hailed as a “pragmatic approach” by the auto industry but condemned as a capitulation by environmentalists. The change followed stark warnings from carmakers about the economic damage the original policy would cause.
Lobbying documents show manufacturers like Toyota and Jaguar Land Rover claimed the strict targets would threaten UK jobs and investment. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) backed this view, arguing the government was right to alter a course that risked “decarbonisation at the cost of de-industrialisation.”
Nissan praised the government’s move, specifically noting the introduction of “consumer incentives designed to bring consumer demand closer to ZEV mandate requirements.” For the industry, the amended policy represents a more realistic timeline that aligns with market realities and protects UK manufacturing.
Conversely, climate groups view the “flexibilities” as a significant weakening of a crucial environmental policy. They contend that the ZEV mandate was successfully forcing a necessary transition and that the government bowed to corporate pressure. The episode has exposed the deep ideological divide over how fast the UK should move to abandon fossil fuels.
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