UK plc. Where is our ambition, commitment and consistency?

Politicians doing a u-turn? Why should we be surprised? There was more banking on this than a next election, surely? This was the #uk as a global centre of excellence in EVs, clean energy & environmental tech. Stealing a march on Europe & the US? A Green Revolution they said.

But MailOnline says Rishi Sunak will ‘water down ban on gas boilers & petrol & diesel cars, scraps plans for seven bins per home & says there will be no extra tax on flights or meat’ A good thing I hear you say! But is it?

What worries me, is what this U-turn will do for British businesses that could have been at the cutting edge of our global futures.

Governments can change behaviour, drive industry, and technology. See what the Chinese have achieved in 20 years to get to the forefront of #ev tech. That transition won't have been easy for the Chinese people. But look where it's got them.

Meanwhile in the UK, the government, in one move has pretty much undone all the good work that change-makers, EV advocates, technologists & early adopters have been doing since the 2030 ban on #ICE vehicles was introduced 3 years ago.

Yesterday our notorious ex-PM said 'This country leads on tackling climate change & in creating new green technology. The green industrial revolution is already generating huge numbers of high-quality jobs & helping to drive growth & level up our country. Business & industry - such as motor manufacturing - are rightly making vast investments in these new technologies.’

'It is those investments that will produce a low carbon future - at lower costs for British families. It is crucial that we give those businesses confidence that government is still committed to net zero & can see the way ahead. We cannot afford to falter now or in any way lose our ambition for this country.'

This was never going to be an easy or perfect transition. But it was happening. Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the UK has just emerged from ‘early adopter’ market phase, with > 800,000 EVs registered since 2018 & on track to reach almost 18% market share by year end.

But whilst passenger EV sales are going well, We Are Acuity research shows the Van sector is struggling with 92.5% of sales in 2023 being Diesel. Businesses are sceptical about range, technology, & price. The adoption of eLCVs will be further set back by this lack of confidence from the government.

A huge player, Ford Motor Company said dropping the 2030 deadline would be a mistake, & hinted it could put further investments at risk. "The UK 2030 target is a vital catalyst to accelerate Ford into a cleaner future," UK chair Lisa Brankin said "Our business needs 3 things from the UK government: ambition, commitment & consistency. A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three. We need the policy focus trained on bolstering the EV market in the short term & supporting consumers while headwinds are strong: infrastructure remains immature, tariffs loom & cost-of-living is high"

Here, here!

If you work within automotive, be it a retailer or at brand level, we’d love to understand your view and talk to you about the future of auto retailing. Why not schedule a FREE 30-minute assessment today here? It will be well worth your time.

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#electricvehicles #marketing #automotive