Key Automotive Policies in UK Political Party Manifestos
As the general election approaches on July 4th, the UK’s political parties have outlined their automotive policies, recognizing the importance of the automotive industry and the future of motoring to voters’ personal freedoms and the country’s economy. Let’s break down some of the key promises made by each party.
Conservatives:
– Autonomous vehicles: The Conservatives plan to introduce new laws, known as the Automated Vehicles Act, to allow the mass roll-out of autonomous vehicles. This will focus on creating a safety framework for the technology and enabling commercialization.
– Electric cars: The party aims to support electric car buyers with a nationwide charging infrastructure, particularly by increasing the number of rapid charging sites. The end of new combustion car sales has been pushed back to 2035, citing the need for additional time to install public EV charging infrastructure and align with other major regions.
– Road improvements: The Conservatives pledge further road improvements, including the construction of the Lower Thames Crossing and improvements to the A303 and A1 trunk roads.
– Supporting the car industry: The Conservatives describe the car industry as the “jewel in our manufacturing crown” and promise to support domestic car manufacturers if evidence of other countries breaking global trade rules arises. They also plan to support car manufacturers transitioning to electric vehicles to protect skilled British jobs.
Labour:
– Reinstate the 2030 ICE ban: Labour plans to reintroduce the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, providing certainty for car manufacturers.
– Help EV buyers: Labour aims to accelerate the roll-out of charge points to support electric car buyers. They also propose introducing a battery health standard to make information clearer and more understandable.
– Creating a modern transport system: Labour promises major upgrades to Britain’s roads, focusing on maintaining and renewing the road network and addressing potholes.
– Gigafactories: Labour plans to update national planning policy to make it easier to build EV battery factories and invest £1.5 billion into new gigafactory projects.
– Lower insurance costs: Labour aims to tackle soaring car insurance costs without specifying how they will do so.
Liberal Democrats:
– Bring back EV grants: The Liberal Democrats promise to reinstate the electric car grant, making it cheaper and easier for drivers to switch to electric vehicles.
– Make charging cheaper and easier: The party plans to rapidly increase the roll-out speed and number of charging points by upgrading local grid capacities. They also aim to cut VAT on public charging and ensure that all charging points accept payment cards.
– Bring back the 2030 ICE ban, cut high fuel costs: The Liberal Democrats support bringing back the ban on new ICE car sales by 2030 and promise to protect motorists from unfair insurance and high petrol prices without providing details on how they will achieve this.
– Repair potholes: The Liberal Democrats plan to give more of the roads budget to local councils to address the poor state of UK roads, including potholes.
Green Party:
– Phasing out fossil fuels: The Green Party’s main focus is on decarbonizing transport, which includes stopping all new fossil fuel extraction projects, removing oil and gas subsidies, and introducing a carbon tax on fossil fuel imports and domestic extraction.
– Reduce traffic: The party aims to reduce traffic in residential areas, towns, and cities by creating more Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) across the country.
Reform UK:
– Stop the war on motorists: Reform UK pledges to ban all ULEZ zones and Low Traffic Neighborhoods. They also plan to scrap the 2030/2035 ban on new ICE car sales and the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.
These policies demonstrate the different approaches taken by each party towards the automotive industry and the future of motoring. While some focus on supporting electric vehicles and improving infrastructure, others prioritize the needs of motorists and aim to reduce restrictions. The outcome of the general election will determine which policies are implemented and shape the future of the automotive sector in the UK.
