Ford of Britain chair and managing director Lisa Brankin is calling for an urgent review of the UK Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. The mandate requires manufacturers to sell an increasing percentage of zero-emission vehicles each year or face fines.
The motor industry has been putting pressure on the Government to review the mandate, claiming it requires an unsustainable pace of change. Brankin said Ford believes in a zero-emissions future, but the current policy path does not reflect how people actually buy and use vehicles today.
ZEV Mandate Under Scrutiny
The Government had planned to publish a review of the policy next year, but Peter Kyle, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, recently suggested it would happen as soon as possible. The Government will take account of manufacturers’ views, including those of Ford.
Brankin wrote on LinkedIn that the mandate and the market have “drifted apart” and the gap is getting wider. She welcomed the demand-side support provided by the Electric Car Grant, but said incentives alone cannot close the gap.
Ford has invested heavily in electric vehicles and discounted them to make them more affordable, but sustainable demand is still short of the targets for both commercial and passenger vehicles. Brankin argued that while switching to electric vehicles makes sense for many drivers, for others the timing is not right.
Commercial Vehicle Customers
This is particularly true for commercial vehicle customers, whose van is the heart of their business, and the switch to full electric does not make sense for some of them at the moment. Brankin said the EU has recalibrated its targets to match the market, and it’s time the UK reviewed the ZEV mandate.
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The ZEV mandate has received criticism from trade unions, but it has been defended by the electric vehicle charging industry and environmental advisors. As the UK Government considers reviewing the mandate, Ford and other manufacturers will be watching closely to see how the policy will be adjusted to reflect the current market.
In similar situations, governments have had to balance the need to promote sustainable transportation with the reality of consumer demand and market conditions. The UK Government’s decision to review the ZEV mandate will be closely watched by the industry and environmental groups, as it will have significant implications for the future of electric vehicles in the UK.
The review of the ZEV mandate is expected to take into account the views of manufacturers, as well as the current state of the market. Brankin said Ford is committed to a zero-emissions future, but the company needs a policy framework that reflects the reality of the market.
Next Steps
The UK Government will need to carefully consider the implications of adjusting the ZEV mandate, including the potential impact on the environment, consumer choice, and the automotive industry. As the review gets underway, Ford and other stakeholders will be looking for a policy that balances the need for sustainable transportation with the reality of market conditions, such as fleet safety and compliance.
According to the filing, the Government will publish the review of the ZEV mandate as soon as possible, taking into account the views of manufacturers and other stakeholders. The outcome of the review will be closely watched by the industry and environmental groups, as it will have significant implications for the future of electric vehicles in the UK.
