Major UK companies have called on the Government to step up its promotion of electric vehicles by launching a new public campaign to encourage the shift away from petrol and diesel cars.
Companies including BT, Openreach, Mitie, OVO, Zenith and Grundfos have demanded the initiative to run alongside a national mission to improve the EV infrastructure.
The call comes as the Government’s consultation on the proposal to bring forward the Zero Emission Mandate which would see the phase-out of petrol and diesel cars to 2030 instead of 2035 has concluded.
Under the proposal it would require the UK to ramp up its electric vehicle rollout five years earlier, with experts calling for more supportive measures. Companies warned that to help encourage the purchase of electric vehicles, there needs to be a“much bigger perception shift” in the population in order to help keep the pace for the proposed 2030 deadline.
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Energy companies urged Labour to rollout a nationwide EV campaign
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The group argued that by launching a public campaign it could showcase the rapid advancement of the EV transition while highlighting benefits for public health, economic growth and climate.
The companies suggested that as charging infrastructure expands and EV prices fall, more of the population may consider making the switch away from petrol and diesel cars.
The latest report from New Automotive also indicated how the UK could already be on track to meet its 2030 electrification target, with EV sales hitting record levels for January.
Openreach CEO Clive Selley said: “As a big fleet operator, we’re aware of our environmental impact and we’re committed to leading the shift to zero-emission vehicles.”
Selley noted that Openreach is tackling adoption barriers directly by installing thousands of home charging points for engineers. However, he stressed the need for continued incentives, stating that having a public campaign would “boost awareness and confidence in EV benefits, speeding up the UK’s journey to a greener, sustainable future”.
Meanwhile energy service company Mitie’s Chief Legal Officer Peter Dickinson highlighted the company’s role in the EV transition, with over 6,000 electric vehicles in their fleet.
He added: “Now is the time to ramp up the transition to EVs, and we fully support a strong national effort to make that happen.
“Encouraging other businesses and communities on this journey will unlock even greater investment, create green jobs, and strengthen the UK’s position as a leader in clean transport.”
Ben Nelmes, CEO of New Automotive, explained that the UK’s EV transition is already well underway with the UK becoming “Europe’s leading electric car market, ahead of all other major car markets”.
But while Helen Clarkson, CEO of Climate Group, praised the UK’s position within the electric car market, she called for urgent action to maximise the opportunity to help keep the momentum going.
She noted: “The UK is ahead of the curve, driving one of Europe’s most successful EV transitions, but the Government is failing to grab this unprecedented opportunity with both hands.
“To really attract investment, harness innovation, and deliver growth for generations to come, now is the time to shift up a gear.”
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She emphasised the need to unite energy, charging, automotive and public sectors in a national mission on EV infrastructure.
Nelmes stated: “With over a million motorists driving electric cars, people have already saved billions in fuel costs, while contributing to cleaner air and cutting carbon emissions. As EV sales ramp up, more and more people will feel the benefit of making the switch.”
