The Latest Breaking News from Mike Hawes

Government could slash EV sales targets as zero emissions mandate comes under review

Car makers want more breathing room, but charging firms warn a policy wobble could slow Britain’s switch to electric cars

The Independent UK · Aug 14

New car sales surge in UK amid electric vehicle revolution

New car registrations in the UK increased by 11.7 per cent in July, marking the eighth consecutive month of growth, with a total of 156,571 vehicles registered according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Demand for electric vehicles (EVs) was a significant driver of this growth, rising…

The Independent UK · Aug 5

Carmakers ‘delaying investment in UK factories until EV sales rules relaxed’

Industry wants mandate forcing manufacturers to sell increasing share of electric cars each year to be eased

The Guardian - UK · Jul 30

Electric car sales hit record high in March while fuel prices surge again

Battery electric car registrations totalled 86,120 in March, a jump of 24.2% compared with the same month last year and a new record high.

Evening Standard · Apr 7

Nissan car plant warns it could be at risk if it is excluded from new EU subsidy rules

Sunderland plant, which employs 6,000 people, could face ‘existential threat’ if it is not included in new EU rules

The Independent UK · Mar 5

Nissan ‘says Sunderland plant could close’ if UK excluded from Made in Europe rules

Reports of carmaker’s warning come as lobby group says EU proposals could damage £70bn cross-channel trade

The Guardian - UK · Mar 5

UK probably needs large new factory to meet target of 1.3m cars a year, say industry boss

Mike Hawes casts doubt on Labour’s plan to double production by 2035, as Starmer visits China with carmaker delegation

The Guardian - UK · Jan 29

UK car production slumped by 15.5 per cent in 2025 as industry faced ‘worst year in a generation’

Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack and Trump tariffs among factors behind dismal year

The Independent UK · Jan 29

UK car sales top 2m in 2025 as Chinese brands boom

Electric car sales rose by nearly a quarter to a record 473,000, or 23.4% of the overall market, says SMMT

The Guardian - UK · Jan 6

New car sales grew by 3.5% last year fuelled by surge in demand for EVs

Registrations of pure battery EVs were up 23.9% year-on-year, achieving a market share of 23.4%.

The Independent UK · Jan 6