The UK automotive and charging industries have been invited to shape the UK’s transition to zero emission vehicles in a new consultation. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has launched a consultation to ask views from industry on how to deliver the manifesto commitment to restore the 2030 phase-out date for new purely petrol and diesel cars and make the transition to zero emissions vehicles a success. The 2030 phase out date is said to have been broadly supported by industry before the previous UK government extended the phase out to 2035. Currently more than two-thirds of car manufacturers in the UK, including Nissan and Stellantis, have already committed to fully transitioning to electric cars by 2030. Today’s consultation will restore clarity for vehicle manufacturers and the charging industry so that they have the confidence to invest in the UK in the long-term and drive growth in the UK automotive industry. To support manufacturers in the transition, it’s said that the ZEV Mandate already features a range of flexibilities to help industry comply in a way that makes sense for them and the wider market, including selling fewer zero emission vehicles than the headline target if they make up for it in other ways. The consultation explores the design of the flexibilities to ensure they continue to support manufacturers. This consultation is focused on how to reach the 2030 target. It will give the sector the opportunity to consider how the current arrangements and flexibilities are working, which hybrid cars can be sold alongside zero emission models between 2030 and 2035, and any further support measures to help make the transition a success for industry and consumers. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Employing 152,000 people and adding £19 billion to our economy, the UK’s automotive industry is a huge asset to our nation — and the transition to electric is an unprecedented opportunity to attract investment, harness British innovation, and deliver growth for generations to come.” Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “There is no route to net zero without backing British industries and workers. There are huge advantages for British industry and we must make sure decarbonisation creates jobs and opportunities.” One in four new cars sold this November was an EV, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders – a 58% increase on November 2023. EV owners are seeing the benefits too, as 97% of electric car drivers say they do not want to go back to petrol and diesel cars.

Immigration officials have been out in force across the UK to disrupt rogue employers who hire migrants illegally and exploit vulnerable people, and to address the promise of illegal jobs that are used by criminal smuggling gangs to sell spaces in small boats crossing the Channel. Particular focus has been on targeting car washes, nail bars, supermarkets and construction sites suspected of hiring illegal workers and subjecting them to squalid conditions and illegal working hours at below minimum wage. As part of activity to tackle illegal working, Immigration Enforcement also plays a critical safeguarding role, working closely with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority and other organisations to allow employees to report labour exploitation. More biometric fingerprinting kits will also be deployed to the frontline, allowing officers to check those they apprehend in illegal working raids against police databases on the spot, rather than having to take them to local police stations. Director of Enforcement, Compliance and Crime at Immigration Enforcement is Eddy Montgomery. He said: “This activity demonstrates our laser focus on holding employers to account and safeguarding those who are made to work in squalid conditions.

“I am proud of the teams across the country, for their hard work in accelerating this activity in recent months to prevent exploitation and ensure those who break the law face consequences.”