Reynolds refuses to rule out further changes to ZEV mandate Transport and infrastructure The business secretary has swerved calls from the automotive industry to rule out further changes to the controversial zero-emissions-vehicle mandate (ZEV mandate), saying he would continue to engage with industry to ensure it did not pose a threat to jobs or the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs). Jonathan Reynolds told the SMMT’s annual conference that [...]
Polestar takes advantage of Tesla sales slump Transport and infrastructure Polestar is benefitting from Tesla’s well-publicised slump as it revealed a huge growth in global sales for the first three months of 2025. The Swedish company, which is listed on the US Nasdaq, has sold an estimated 12,304 cars since the turn of the year, 76 per cent up compared to the same period in [...]
UK government unveils changes to electric vehicle rules Politics Prime Minister Keir Starmer has launched new reforms to bolster Britain’s automotive industry and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs). This move reaffirms the 2030 phase-out date for new petrol and diesel car sales, while offering carmakers more flexibility to meet ambitious green targets. The changes come in response to US President Donald Trump’s [...]
Government poised for ‘substantial change’ to ZEV Mandate after Nissan lobbying March 7, 2025 The government has indicated it plans to relax electric vehicle sales quotas after Nissan claimed they threatened the future of its Sunderland manufacturing plant. Jonathan Reynolds told the Times a “substantial change of policy” had been agreed. “We will do everything we can to make sure Nissan has that secure long-term future in the UK, [...]
New car market in UK up 2.6 per cent in 2024, figures reveal January 4, 2025 The UK’s new car market recorded its second successive year of growth with a 2.6 per cent rise in registrations in 2024, new figures show. Industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said around 1,953,000 new cars were registered last year, compared with 1,903,000 in 2023. Growth was delivered entirely by purchases [...]
Stellantis closure: UK carmakers face ‘global’ challenges, Reynolds warns November 27, 2024 UK carmakers are facing “global challenges”, Jonathan Reynolds has warned, in the wake of Vauxhall owner Stellantis announcing plans to close its Luton plant. The business secretary said issues in the industry amid the shift to electric vehicles weren’t limited to the firm and insisted ministers did “everything we possibly could” to avert closure. Dutch [...]