Like certain other parts of the world, a proposed zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) mandate in the UK has faced its fair share of scrutiny as of late, with weaker demand for EVs proving to be a potential roadblock. As such, the UK has softened its rules somewhat, only requiring an 80 percent EV sales mix by 2030 rather than 100 percent, and allowing hybrids to continue to be sold for the foreseeable future. Regardless, Ford has been quite vocal regarding its belief that the UK needs to roll out new EV incentives if it wants to hit that goal, a sentiment that it recently reiterated and expanded upon.
According to Automotive News, Ford of Britain managing director Lisa Brankin is calling for the UK government to cut its added tax on EVs in half, and is also asking for the Vehicle Emissions Trading Scheme (VETS) to relax some of its proposals set to begin next year, including fines it plans to levy for non-compliance in terms of reaching a 22 percent EV sales mix by next year. “We want to start fresh in 2026 so that we can actually get momentum towards the 2030 objectives,” Brankin said.
These comments piggyback on others shared by Brankin recently, who stated that robust incentives are necessary if the UK wants to achieve its ZEV goals next year and beyond. In fact, Brankin doesn’t believe that the UK will hit its targets without rolling out incentives designed to stimulate private demand for Ford EV models and others. She also added that the first budget proposal from new UK chancellor Rachel Reeves – set to arrive late this month – provides the perfect opportunity to introduce such incentives, pointing to robust demand in the commercial market for EVs stemming from fleet incentives.
Earlier this year, Ford ditched plans to go all-electric across its entire passenger vehicle lineup by 2030 amid waning demand, and will continue to offer gas and hybrid models as long as it possibly can. Though the automaker has long supported ZEV mandates such as the one being implemented in the UK, it admitted that its own plan to do so was “unrealistic,” and later noted that it may stop selling ICE models in the UK altogether to avoid paying fines that are part of that same mandate.
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