The Government is considering a U-turn on the measures driving EV adoption but is currently kicking the can down the road.

OK, enough of the metaphors, but the Government is currently considering watering down UK EV sales targets, whilst new analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) finds more than a hundred thousand jobs might be at stake if carmakers do not adapt to growing EV demand in key export markets.

Sales figures released this week show, for the second month running, over 40 per cent of new cars sold in France, and more than one in three in Germany were electric, underscoring the risk to UK carmakers that fail to adapt their businesses to meet demand for EVs in key export markets.

The new analysis from ECIU finds the far greater risk is a failure to keep up with EV demand internationally as the majority (78 per cent) of cars made in the UK are exported, with the EU by far the biggest market for UK-made cars.

The report instead finds there are likely upsides to a rapid EV transition in UK car plants, with UK manufacturers potentially able to grow their market share in key export destinations if they act decisively to adapt their businesses towards growing EV demand now.

Global sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars peaked nearly a decade ago in 2017. The impact of US-Iran conflict on fuel prices is now also contributing to EV demand in the UK. In October, 32.3 per cent of new cars sold in the UK were EVs, on a par with Germany.

A Government consultation on the future of the ZEV Mandate closed in October, with an announcement expected this month.

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