Overview
- The Policy Commission on Gigafactories proposes cutting the 2030 ZEV sales requirement to 50–60% from 80% and easing penalties to draw gigafactory investment.
- A government spokesperson says the 2035 transition to zero‑emission new car sales remains policy, with Labour having already reduced the per‑car penalty cap to £12,000.
- Commission chair Lord John Hutton says the goal is an evidence‑based recalibration to protect UK manufacturing rather than a reversal of direction.
- Be. EV chief executive Asif Ghafoor criticises the proposal as a stop‑start approach that could slow the transition.
- The discussion is influenced by the EU’s shift to a 90% 2035 tailpipe target with offsets and by reports of a consultation on a 3p‑per‑mile EV charge from 2028.