The Conservative Party has revealed it is considering scrapping the UK’s ambitious electric vehicle targets if it is elected back into control of the country.
The move would represent a significant shift from previous policy, with the party now looking to promote "consumer choice" in the UK's car market.
The potential policy change comes as the Tories reassess their environmental commitments following their election defeat.
Kemi Badenoch, head of the party, recently announced changes to the party's net zero approach, describing the 2050 target as "impossible" to achieve within the next 25 years, without a serious drop in our living standards or "by bankrupting us".
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The ZEV mandate has been changed several times since it was first introduced by the Conservatives
PA/GETTYThe polluting vehicle phase-out target was made legally binding under former Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May in 2019.
But now Andrew Griffith, the Shadow Business Secretary, warned against the danger of "state intervention" in the automotive sector during a speech to an industry conference today.
Speaking at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders conference, the Shadow Secretary said the Conservatives did not want to be a knee-jerk opposition, but added the automotive industry still had a "long, long way to go".
Griffith noted that ever-changing rules around the ZEV mandate were detrimental, especially as global competitors move forward with EV plans.
He explained: "That means that we must again allow for real consumer choice in the automotive sector, rather than diktats."
The MP for Arundel and South Downs added that the UK had no choice but to be pro-business, highlighting that without this mantra, the UK would have no future.
Under current plans, UK car manufacturers must meet certain targets as part of the ambitious ZEV mandate or face hefty penalties.
This will see all new car sales be electric or hybrid by 2030, with at least 28 per cent electric by this year, a target which the UK is currently behind.
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The Shadow Secretary said the Conservatives were looking at plans to remove the 2030 ban
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The car industry has repeatedly criticised the mandate, warning that it is putting jobs and investment at risk in the UK as the transition to electric cars continues to fall short of its target.
The previous Conservative Government announced plans for the ZEV mandate scheme, but after hearing concerns from the car industry, the Tories later pushed back this ban until 2035 under Rishi Sunak.
Earlier this year, to combat the tariff charges announced by Donald Trump, Labour relaxed some of the rules around the ZEV mandate.
Griffith argued that "sustainable industries are built upon real demand from real consumers, and that state intervention is a poor substitute for this".
The ZEV mandate could be scrapped under the Tories, if they come back into power
GETTYHowever, environmental campaigners have warned that scrapping the mandate would threaten significant investment and employment in the UK.
Johann Beckford, senior policy adviser at Green Alliance, said: "If reports that senior Conservatives want to scrap the Zero Emissions Vehicle mandate are true, this plan would jeopardise up to £22billion of investment in batteries and electric cars, and good jobs up and down the country."
The organisation highlighted that regulations requiring carmakers to sell fewer polluting cars made the UK the biggest electric vehicle market in Europe last year. Beckford noted it "was a proud moment for the Conservative Party when Rishi Sunak put them in place".
Under the current Government, there are no plans to scrap the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, with Labour continuing to push for more electric cars on UK roads.
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