New Rules Force Manufacturers to Sell Minimum of 22 Percent Electric Vehicles or Face Fines

New rules have come into force which force car manufacturers in the UK to sell a minimum of 22 percent zero emission vehicles or face huge fines. The Department for Transport said the zer0 emission vehicle mandate would be gradually increased to 100 percent by 2035, when the ban on new petrol and diesel cars comes into force.

Manufacturers who fail to abide by the mandate will be fined £15,000 for every internal combustion engine (ICE) car they sell above the 78 percent limit. Boris Johnson, when he was prime minister, announced petrol and diesel engines would be banned from 2030—in an attempt to reach net zero—but earlier this year Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pushed that date back to 2035.

The Labour Party has said it would restore the ban date of 2030 if it wins the general election later this year. “This will support the constantly growing number of EVs in the UK, which currently account for over 16 percent of the new UK car market,” said Mr. Browne. The RAC, analysing data from electric charging locator point Zap Map, found only 46 out of 119 sites met the Department for Transport’s target for at least six rapid or ultra rapid chargers at every motorway service area in England by the end of 2023.

Four motorway service areas—two at Leicester Forest on the M1, Tebay South on the M6 and Barton Park on the A1(M)—have no charging facilities at all. Bob Bull, from the Alliance of British Drivers, told The Epoch Times there was little enthusiasm from the average motorist to switch to electric cars, partly because of the prohibitive cost and the shortage of chargers.

The new zero emission vehicle mandate will cover the whole of the UK and Whitehall is introducing it in liaison with the Scottish government, the government in Wales and Northern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure. “The regulation means the UK retains the most ambitious timeline of any major market yet without private consumer incentives.

While manufacturers offer a vast range of zero emission vehicles, demand must match supply,” he said..