The electric car debate won’t fade away

Changes to 2030 strategy to halt the sale of new internal combustion engine cars and vans?
With some European countries already making changes to the targeted dates to halt the sale of ICE cars and vans, there are rumours the British Government is considering delaying their target dates after more pressure from the Society of Manufacturers and Traders to give manufacturers more time and more assistance. The latest announcement that the House of Lords is to scrutinise the Government plan has added fuel to the rumours.
The House of Lords environment and climate change committee wishes to gain insight into the methods through which the Government intends to achieve its objective, while also looking into obstacles that may impede progress.
Committee chair Baroness Kate Parminter said it seeks to find out “what the Government needs to do to encourage greater take up of EVs ahead of their 2030 and 2035 targets”.
It wants input from car owners about their experience of buying and using EVs and the hurdles that must be overcome. Specifically, it wants to tackle the following questions. Do the 2030 and 2035 phase out dates serve their purpose to incentivise the development of an EV market in the UK? To what extent are car manufacturers focussing on one date or the other? What is the impact of the deadlines on the ability of the UK supply chain to benefit and how could the Government seek to further support the development of the UK EV industry?
Would the introduction of a plan with key dates and timescales support the development of the EV industry in the UK? This is your opportunity to have your say and those of you who are interested in contributing the details concerning the submission of evidence are available on the committee’s official website (https://committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/3226/) The submission deadline is September 15, 2023.
There have been more new dealer appointments this week to represent Chinese brands. Peter Vardy announced two new dealerships for MG in Edinburgh and Kircaldy, GWR Ora appointed Holdcroft in Crewe and Citygate in High Wycombe and BYD appointed City West Country Group to represent the brand in Exeter. City West Country already represent Mercedes-Benz, Smart, Ora Funky Cat and now BYD. Local Managing Director Mike Wickens said “We are immensely proud that BYD UK has chosen Exeter and City West Country to begin their venture into the South West”
BYD announced that on August 9 its five millionth new energy vehicle (battery electric and hybrid electric) rolled off the production line. BYD spent 13 years for the first million, another 18 months to reach 3 million and just 9 more months to reach the 5 million mark.
With the Chinese ready to increase their assault on the European markets with established cheaper electric cars the government will be reluctant to agree to delaying the target date and the only other obvious solution is to provide bigger incentives for buyers.