Car Manufacturers Falling Short of Government Target for Electric Vehicle Sales, MPs Told

The race to electrify the automotive industry is on, but it seems like car manufacturers are falling short of the Government’s targets for electric vehicle (EV) sales. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the share of new car sales that are pure battery electrics is predicted to be just 19.8% this year, below the required 22% threshold. This raises concerns about whether the industry will be able to meet the Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which requires at least 22% of new cars and 10% of new vans sold by each manufacturer in the UK to be zero-emission by 2024.

The consequences of missing these targets could be severe, with manufacturers facing fines of £15,000 per polluting vehicle sold above the limits. To avoid this, some companies are considering restricting sales of petrol cars to artificially boost the proportion of EV purchases. However, this may not be enough to bridge the gap between current sales figures and the required targets.

One key issue highlighted by industry experts is the need for incentives to encourage consumers to buy EVs. Quentin Willson, founder of EV campaign group FairCharge, emphasized the importance of providing inexpensive incentives such as free parking and access to bus lanes. He also stressed the need to dispel misinformation about EVs, which he believes is deterring potential buyers.

Cost is another major factor influencing consumer decisions when it comes to purchasing and running an electric car. While manufacturers have been investing billions to meet ambitious targets, the ultimate success of decarbonization efforts depends on consumer demand. This is why industry experts are calling on the Government to introduce smarter fiscal incentives to support private consumers and drive the adoption of EVs.

In order to accelerate the transition to greener road transport, both industry and Government need to address negative perceptions and make EV ownership more appealing and accessible to the average consumer. With the right incentives and support in place, we can work towards a future where electric vehicles are the norm rather than the exception.