THE Prime Minister has called an emergency meeting as companies have urged for clarity over the planned petrol and diesel car ban.
Rishi Sunak is understood to have hastily arranged a call with Cabinet ministers, according to PA.
It has since been announced that Sunak will deliver a speech in Downing Street at 4.30pm amid the speculation he will water down and/or delay some net zero commitments.
It comes on the back of a number of companies and officials coming out and criticising the PM as it emerged that Sunak is expected to announced on Friday to postpone several policies in relation to the government’s net-zero target.
This includes the planned phase-out of gas boilers and the introduction of energy-efficiency targets for private rented homes.
An AA spokeswoman said manufacturers and drivers need “more certainty” over when new petrol and diesel cars will be banned.
She said: “The AA said from the outset that the 2030 deadline was ‘ambitious but achievable’.
“What the car industry and individuals want is more certainty so they can plan for the future.
“Whatever the target date, it is clear that more support is needed in terms of charging infrastructure to help the transition to zero-emission vehicles.”
Meanwhile, car-maker Ford, has urged the government to stick to its plans after making a multi-billion pound investment in moving towards the 2030 target of the sale of new petrol and diesel cars being banned.
Lisa Brankin, Ford UK Chair said: “Three years ago the government announced the UK’s transition to electric new car and van sales from 2030.
“The auto industry is investing to meet that challenge.
“Ford has announced a global $50 billion commitment to electrification, launching nine electric vehicles by 2025.
“The range is supported by £430 million invested in Ford’s UK development and manufacturing facilities, with further funding planned for the 2030 timeframe.
“This is the biggest industry transformation in over a century and the UK 2030 target is a vital catalyst to accelerate Ford into a cleaner future.
“Our business needs three things from the UK government: ambition, commitment and consistency. A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three.
“We need the policy focus trained on bolstering the EV market in the short term and supporting consumers while headwinds are strong: infrastructure remains immature, tariffs loom and cost-of-living is high.”
It is a similar picture for Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).
A spokesperson for the firm said: “JLR is investing £15 billion over the next five years to electrify our luxury brands, which is key to JLR reaching net zero carbon emissions across our supply chain, products and operations by 2039.
“Our plans are on track and we welcome certainty around legislation for the end of sale of petrol and diesel powered cars.”
The UK’s ‘net zero target’ refers to a government commitment to ensure the country reduces its greenhouse gas emissions by 100 per cent from 1990 levels by 2050.
If met, this would mean the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the UK would be equal to or less than the emissions removed by the UK from the environment.
Part of this included an announcement in 2020 that the Government would ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030.
