The Government has been urged to “wake up and grab the steering wheel” after it was accused of doing little to help UK car makers in the move to electric vehicles.
Ministers and officials are lobbying Brussels over a Brexit trade deal deadline which could pose an “existential threat” to parts of the British automotive industry, putting thousands of jobs at risk. Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch has raised the issue with counterparts in Brussels ahead of a looming cliff edge when new rules covering electric vehicles (EVs) come into effect at the start of 2024.
Vauxhall’s parent company Stellantis told MPs this week that it will be unable to keep a commitment to make EVs in the UK without changes to the Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) with the European Union. Under the TCA, from next year 45% of an EV’s value should originate in the UK or EU to qualify for tariff-free trade.
