UK poised to water down 2030 EV sales targets after industry and union pressure

Under the proposals, hybrid vehicles could be allowed to make up a far bigger proportion of the UK’s car sales in the medium term. Photograph: Jose Sarmento Matos/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The UK government is poised to water down its 2030 targets for electric vehicle sales after intensive lobbying by the car industry and unions.

The government is preparing to consult on less ambitious targets for the transition to fully battery-powered electric cars over the rest of the decade after carmakers and unions warned that they would penalise manufacturers and put jobs at risk.