Number 10 has insisted it will not change course on its ban of all new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, even as its pals in Brussels prepare to reverse course after pressure from Germany and Italy. Miliband’s beloved EV mandate lives to fight another day, at least for now…
The Number 10 spokesman said today:
“We have set out clearly our position on this for some time now, and made the case for it. We remain committed to the policy. Our electric car grant is making it cheaper than ever to choose an EV.”
Motor industry experts in the UK are already pushing back. Ex-Aston Martin chief Dr Andy Palmer told the Times this morning:
“It becomes very difficult because if the EU drops their ban the factories there won’t ramp up their EV production in the way forecast. There wouldn’t be enough EVs to meet the demand required in the UK.”
Electric vehicle owners now face a pay-per-mile tax following the Winter Budget. This crusade looks increasingly ridiculous…
Former Treasury minister and adviser to Burnham in the Makerfield campaign Lord Jim O’Neill, who has turned down a role in his government, said Burnham’s first statement Commons was:
“The last thing investors wanted to hear… gilt yields have risen by a 0.25% in one day, which is a lot. We’ve not had that since Liz Truss days… If your country is under the focus of ‘can they come up with a sensible fiscal strategy’ on a day when the markets think ‘well no, you’re not showing any sign of it’ you’re going to have a tough day…if it stays like this your mortgage rate is going up.”