The policy environment for electric vehicles has long been a fraught and contested area – it is subject to the shifting priorities of national Government, variation of implementation at local level, significant politicisation and major reputational challenges.
All of which is occurring whilst major shifts occur in the global supply chain and international trading patterns bring new entrants into the UK market.
With such a complex backdrop, both business buyers and retail consumers can often be left puzzled and bemused by conflicting messages and unsure when to make the shift away from their traditional petrol or diesel cars. This is a significant challenge that must be addressed head-on if the UK is to achieve a successful, fair and sustainable transition to EVs, with the 2030 target for the end of new ICE vehicle sales approaching rapidly.
To explore these issues in detail, WA Communications has commissioned exclusive nationally representative public polling from YouGov and brought together an expert panel of distinguished industry experts and political leaders.
by Marc Woolfson, Founding Partner
Some key takeouts from our analysis include:
- Sir Philip Rutnam’s expert insights on what matters to the differing agendas at play between Department for Transport, HM Treasury and No10 as they grapple with the need to protect the UK’s automotive manufacturing base, maintain a sustainable tax base, attract international investment and build constructive trading partnerships. With the review of the ZEV Mandate brought forward to this year, these issues will be front and centre for policymakers.
- WA’s analysis of the YouGov polling which highlights some stark differences between Reform voters and other party supporters. With Reform’s leadership on record as intending to scrap the ZEV Mandate as part of a radical shift away from the net zero agenda, the views of their supporters indicate a lack of support for EV targets overall and a specific opposition at a local level for residential on street charging. This divergence of opinion should be of direct interest for all those involved in the sector, with the local elections in May this year and both Reform and the Greens on track for a more influential presence in local government.
- The polling also shows a public unsure who to trust for reliable information on EVs – justifying the Government’s investment in their recent Electric Feel campaign – but also showing there is a long way to go to dispel myths and instil confidence in consumers to make the switch. Interestingly for the sector, the public seem attracted to the use of innovative technology from new Chinese market entrants but also perhaps more likely to turn to traditional OEMs for a more dependable support and maintenance network.
- Overall, the data shows far from a settled public consensus on whether the 2030 target is desirable, especially if the cost of an EV remains high. With the public split on this, there is the possibility that it becomes even more of a political dividing line in the run up to the next general election, and in the shorter term increases the pressure on the Government to address the affordability gap rapidly.
- It is clear that the UK’s EV market feels like the Government is listening and importantly acting on some of their concerns. However, the impending introduction of the new eVED scheme has weakened confidence and delivered some conflicting messages at the same time as the Government is trying to stimulate demand. Many in the industry will feel this is unhelpful, when they are investing themselves in efforts to combat myths and some biased reporting.
- To keep the market moving forward, and drive take up, there are some clear priorities emerging. Consistency of policy, taxation and funding stability for incentive schemes; action to address structural blockers for people without driveways, in rented accommodation or in blocks of flats; moves to support the used market and in particular to dispel concerns over battery health.
In summary, there is a lot to unpack. The industry has good reason to be encouraged by the latest data on charging infrastructure rollout, but with EV registrations lagging behind target, there is a very long way to go and a lot to do on the way to 2030.
Click here to download the analysis.
