One of the UK’s most legendary car manufacturers has secured a victory against strict electric vehicle targets after it warned that it would be forced to delay all future plans.
Earlier this week, Lister Motor Company, Britain’s oldest racing car manufacturer, warned that the Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate would severely impact the business.
Lister CEO Lawrence Whittaker previously warned that the brand would be forced to delay all future plans
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Many shared their frustrations at potentially losing a British icon to net zero rules and the knock-on effect it could have on other manufacturers and the automotive industry.
However, a resolution appears to be on the horizon as Whittaker plans to meet with the Department for Transport about the future of the ZEV mandate and the impact it could have on Lister.
Taking to social media, the CEO thanked his followers for boosting the concerns of Lister Motors and helping him secure a discussion with the DfT.
He added: “The power of Twitter! Hoping to have a very positive chat to the DFT about small volume exemptions. Wish me luck!”
READ MORE: Classic British car brand forced to put ‘all future plans on hold’ because of electric vehicle targets
Lister Motor Company is entering its 71st year of operation
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The Department for Transport told GB News that manufacturers selling fewer than 1,000 cars are exempt from the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate and associated CO2 targets up to 2030.
A spokesperson clarified that this has always been the case and that the Government is supporting the automotive sector throughout the transition to electric vehicles.
They added: “We are therefore currently consulting on requirements between 2030 and 2035, including details for smaller manufacturers, and will confirm details in due course.”
While manufacturers who produce less than 1,000 cars are exempt from all ZEV mandate targets, this is only for the duration of the legislation, which could still change after 2030.
While Labour had pledged to bring back the original 2030 deadline to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans, it has not yet made these changes, opting to launch a consultation instead.
Labour is consulting on the phase-out of new cars that rely solely on an internal combustion engine from 2030. Two of the questions in the survey specifically ask whether these changes should be made.
It asks whether small-volume manufacturers which produce between 1,000 and 2,499 vehicles per year and micro-volume manufacturers (less than 1,000) should be subject to the 2030 requirements.
The consultation was first launched on Christmas Eve and is set to close on February 18, with hopes the responses from industry experts will help inform future legislation.
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The ZEV mandate consultation document outlines that the Government “must also consider the role of smaller volume manufacturers” to hit targets laid out for 2030 and 2035.
It estimates that roughly 18 manufacturers are responsible for 90 per cent of all car sales, while 14 van brands cater to 95 per cent of all van sales.
