Winter is coming and the mood among parts suppliers to Nissan’s car plant in Sunderland is troubled. When I met some last week near the UK’s largest automotive factory, they were grappling with the changes sweeping through their industry: “I don’t have a five-year plan any more. What’s the point?” one asked ruefully.
EVs will comprise about 18 per cent of this year’s new car sales, but that falls short of the 22 per cent target for 2024 set by Rishi Sunak’s government. Sunak moved the UK’s zero emissions date back to 2035 to match the EU, and Labour’s 2030 pledge restores it again. The UK’s policy of steadily raising its annual targets for EV sales has not changed, with carmakers having to pay £15,000 for every additional petrol or diesel car they sell.