Commenting on figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showing a fall in UK car production in February, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:
“The UK auto industry is facing a critical moment, with thousands of jobs at risk. The government must take action to stop the low-volume crisis from causing lasting damage to the sector. Labour’s industrial strategy must provide a clear roadmap through the industry’s challenges, guaranteeing a just transition for auto workers.”
Unite is clear that the government’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate and the ban on sales of diesel and petrol engine vehicles by 2030 are in urgent need of reform.
The union is calling for the ban on internal combustion engines to be brought into line with the EU’s deadline of 2035, unless there is a proven strategy to defend jobs.
Much needed reforms to ZEV include m: providing additional credits for UK-made vehicles; ‘bundling’ to allow EV and low emission commercial vehicles to count towards passenger vehicle thresholds and allowing exported EVs to count towards credits for meeting thresholds.
Further investment in EV charging infrastructure is also desperately needed, as part of a broader strategy to support auto jobs and grow the EV market. The strategy must include VAT reductions on UK-made EV sales for private drivers and action on energy profiteering to drive down charging costs.
