A survey conducted by the Institute for the Motor Industry found that 79 percent of its members do not believe the transition to zero-emission vehicles can be delivered safely and sustainably by 2030. The current ZEV Mandate sets ambitious targets for vehicle manufacturers to achieve in terms of electric car sales.
By 2030, some 80 percent of new cars sold must be electric, compared to a target of only 33 percent for 2026. Ultimately, the ZEV Mandate means that 100 percent of all new cars sold in 2035 need to be electric, as do all vans, effectively banning petrol and diesel engines.
Vehicle manufacturers that fail to meet these targets will be charged a fine of £15,000 for every non-electric car sold, along with £18,000 for each van. However, automotive workers and experts are concerned about whether the industry is ready to meet such stringent targets, and many believe a review is needed.
A substantial 82 percent of IMI members were not very confident, or not at all confident, that the automotive workforce will be ready at the pace needed. In addition, more than a third rated access to EV-related training and upskilling in their part of the sector as ‘very poor’ or ‘fairly poor’.
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Some 44 percent of those surveyed said the transition to zero-emission vehicles is having a ‘mostly negative or slightly negative effect’ on their organisation. Additionally, almost half support bringing a review of the current ZEV Mandate targets forward, to consider if they are truly achievable.
Nick Connor, chief executive of the Institute of the Motor Industry, said: “Nobody in our sector disputes the direction of travel – the UK is moving to electric vehicles, and manufacturers, dealers and technicians all need to plan around that. But new IMI insight shows the automotive workforce itself has serious doubts about whether it can keep pace.”
Perran Moon, the Labour MP for Camborne and Redruth, said in a recent LinkedIn post that the government will not break the ‘manifesto commitment to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030’.
Nick Connor also stated that “nearly half of respondents believe a review of the ZEV Mandate should be brought forward and we need to see a clear focus on skills. Mr Moon is right that any review of the ZEV Mandate needs to look at the whole EV supply chain.” The IMI survey highlights the need for the government to reassess the ZEV Mandate targets and consider the concerns of the automotive industry.
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The government may need to consider the potential consequences of not meeting the targets, including the impact on the automotive workforce and the overall economy. The survey results suggest that the industry is not yet ready to meet this 2030 target, and a review of the ZEV Mandate could help to identify the necessary steps to ensure a successful transition to zero-emission vehicles.
The automotive industry is a significant contributor to the UK economy, and the transition to zero-emission vehicles will have a major impact on the sector. The government’s commitment to banning the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 is a significant challenge, and it is essential that the industry is prepared to meet this target.
They are calling for a review.
Nick Connor and Perran Moon both agree that the industry needs to be ready for the transition. The Institute of the Motor Industry will continue to push for a review of the ZEV Mandate targets.