Andy Burnham is facing a likely backlash from Labour MPs as the government will reportedly announce cuts to electric vehicle (EV) targets this week, reports BritPanorama.
The move will relieve carmakers who have voiced concern that the target of only selling EVs by 2035 is unattainable due to higher inflation and a squeeze on living standards.
Louise Haigh, the de facto deputy prime minister, will finalise the plan in a meeting with leaders from the transport, energy, and business departments on Wednesday, according to reports.
Labour MPs, many of whom have been disappointed by the decision to approve the Jackdaw gasfields, are likely to push back against the move.
The rules, brought in by the last Conservative government, mandate that carmakers transition to EVs, reaching a proportion of 80 per cent by 2030.
It is the government’s single biggest decarbonisation policy and is expected to create greater emissions savings than any other.
The expected move comes as Burnham prepares to travel to his first COP climate summit as prime minister alongside Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband.
Catherine Fookes, the MP for Monmouthshire, told reports: “The government has some incredibly difficult decisions to make in the coming months and the prime minister will need to weigh up the consequences of each. We need the ZEV mandate to stay, and Rosebank to be rejected.”
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has warned that the industry will miss the 2026 target of 33 per cent by a wide margin.
Mike Hawes, the SMMT’s chief executive, stated: “The gap between demand and mandated targets continues to widen.”
“Meaningful change to the trajectory, alongside expanded flexibilities throughout the regulation, is essential to bridge that gap, safeguard jobs and investment while keeping the UK’s zero emission transition on track.”
The policy has already been diluted on several occasions since first being proposed, with ongoing internal battles between departments in Whitehall.
It is understood that Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander wishes to reduce the 2030 target to 60 per cent, while Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds is advocating for a further reduction to 50 per cent. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh and Miliband are both keen for the target to remain at 80 per cent.
Sources told reports that Haigh is likely to sign off on the 60 per cent target while also extending flexibilities in the target to 2034, but will inform colleagues that she does not want them to return with further demands for target reductions.
Speaking to Sky News, Health Minister Karin Smyth noted, “On this particular issue, no decisions have been made…as I understand it, no decisions have been made, and we are committed to those targets.”
A government spokesperson stated: “The government is united in its commitment to the ZEV mandate and no decisions have been taken. We are committed to the phaseout of all new cars relying solely on petrol and diesel engines by 2030, and to 100% of new car and van sales being zero emission by 2035, and our legally binding net zero targets. Our consultation on the mandate will not change this, and will ensure we are taking a pragmatic and balanced approach to the ZEV transition.”
As deliberations unfold, the intersection of economic pressures and environmental commitments remains a pivotal focus for the government, balancing public expectations with industry realities.
