Kemi Badenoch has suggested electric vehicle mandates could hamper investment in Britain and lead to job losses, in a sign that another of the government’s green pledges is in doubt.
The business secretary was discussing the automotive industry’s concerns about a rule to be introduced in January that will require manufacturers to ensure at least 22% of new sales in the UK are of emissions-free models, rising each year to reach 80% by 2030.
A manufacturer will be fined £15,000 for every polluting car sold over the limit, unless it can buy in extra allowances from another company.
A spokesperson for Badenoch told Politico: “If major car companies employing thousands of people are saying that there’s a problem, then it’s her job to look at ways to ease that problem.”
Toyota has called the proposed production deadline “challenging” while Ford said the rule poses a “threat” to its business and investment plans.
The zero-emissions vehicle mandate is part of a series of rules to phase out petrol and diesel engine cars in an attempt to reach the government’s legal target of making the UK a net zero carbon emitter by 2050.
The UK ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is due in 2030. However, there are widespread concerns over whether Britain has adequate infrastructure and capacity for the growth of electric vehicles.
Earlier, the Guardian reported that ministers are considering restrictions on councils’ ability to impose 20mph speed limits as part of a new shift against green policies and traffic schemes.
The push against what Rishi Sunak has termed “anti-motorist” policies could be extended to find ways to stop local authorities taking other measures, such as installing bus gates that have been used routinely for decades, sources told the newspaper.
Last weekend, the prime minister ordered a review of low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs).
It is unknown whether the plan is to seek the removal of all LTNs, even those that have been in place for long periods, or only those installed since 2020 when Boris Johnson’s government provided £200m for more to be created.
Louise Haigh, the shadow transport secretary, said it was “pure hypocrisy” for a Conservative government to condemn a policy the party had introduced and she condemned meddling in local decision-making.
