UK to review rules forcing car makers to go electric

Britain said on Wednesday it would rethink the rules that force car makers to produce more electric vehicles after the industry warned that the current plan would lead to factory closures and job losses, without stronger demand from consumers.

As part of its wider net zero goals, Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandates introduced by Britain's previous Conservative government require car makers to sell a higher proportion of EVs each year, or face fines. The rules came into force earlier this year.

But public demand for electric vehicles has not kept up, and without an urgent government intervention, both industry jobs and Britain's appeal as a manufacturing hub are under threat, car makers have warned.

UK finance minister Rachel Reeves said the government had launched a consultation "to look at the plans we inherited from the previous government."

"It is really important... to make sure that we get the balance right and (have) proper support for the automotive sector, the car industry, in Britain," she told reporters.

"We want people to buy electric vehicles, but we want to keep jobs, we want to keep investment in Britain, and we're determined through the consultation to do just that."

The comments came after Stellantis, which owns the Vauxhall and Opel brands, announced plans to close its UK plant in Luton.

The van-making plant in Luton employs 1,100 workers.

Reporting on:independent.ie