Government EV commitment climbdown could create confusion but has dealer support – NFDA

On Wednesday, 20 September 2023, the UK government announced that the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030 has been pushed back to 2035. The National Franchised Dealers Association surveyed its members on this issue in August 2023; 60 per cent of respondents supported an alignment with the European Union, emphasising a lack of confidence in the Government’s current plan to deliver the necessary support the industry needs in achieving the 2030 deadline.

Sue Robinson, chief executive of the NFDA, which represents car and commercial retailers across the UK, said the announcement was “unsurprising given the Government’s inertia around driving EV adoption in the UK.” She added that the change “will likely create further uncertainty for the industry, however, it does align the UK automotive industry with the European Union, its largest international trading partner, and automotive dealers support this.”

The UK continues to hold some of the most ambitious climate commitment targets. However, it lacks any credible up-front price incentives to support the transition to electric for less affluent motorists. With the removal of the Plug-In Car Grant (PICG) last June and price parity yet to be reached between electric vehicles and their internal combustion engine counterparts, the NFDA has called on the government to create a clear and positive message for motorists that they remain committed to their climate targets.

Robinson added: “Our survey indicates that UK franchised dealers, the customer-facing section of the industry, did not think that the UK’s 2030 target was achievable within the existing EV incentive framework and supports a move towards aligning the UK market with the European Union.

“Our members will continue to invest heavily in helping the UK achieve this transition by training their staff to effectively sell, service and repair electric vehicles and help consumers find the right deal for their needs through schemes such as NFDA’s Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA).

“Ultimately, the phasing out of ICE vehicles in the UK requires a clear strategy from the government to achieve it, it must be supported by forward thinking legislation and attractive initiatives to encourage motorists in making the shift. If the UK is to reach its 2050 net-zero targets it needs to support the automotive industry, now more than ever.”