Government urges "pragmatism" on ZEV Mandate Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds said he was "bitterly disappointed" by Stellantis' decision to close the Luton plant, but that he wanted the government to be "pragmatic" on the ZEV Mandate as he officially launched a consultation. Speaking in the House of Commons, Reynolds formally announced the government's plans for a consultation on bringing forward the end date for new ICE sales to 2030. As part of the consultation, there would be the ability for "flexibility" on the ZEV Mandate. Reynolds also said that "contrived culture wars" was not "what this industry needs" and instead it "needs a partner in government ready to look at practical solutions necessary". Read the full story on the Transport + Energy website: https://lnkd.in/edNNZnGB Jonathan Reynolds MP, Department for Business and Trade, Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom, Louise Haigh MP, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), FairCharge, ChargeUK, Ben Kilbey #luton #stellantis #vauxhall #transport #ev #zevmandate #zeroemissionvehicles
Great that it's being debated and everyone will have a chance to air their views. EV sales are still increasing and I hope the Government will also recognise that the announcement by the previous Prime Minister in September last year, when he told consumers they couldn't afford EVs and he would therefore be putting back the deadline, really wasn't helpful. It does seem pretty unfair that targets for manufacturers and suppliers remained virtually the same after that, when such (extremely contrary) messages were being given to consumers. Is it any wonder that sales subsequently fell (last year in the months after that announcement)? Hopefully now an opportunity to realign.