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Mike Hawes, CEO of the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders said the government must provide greater clarity on the time table for the phase-out of diesel and petrol cars by 2030-2035.
Hawes told the House of Lords inquiry into EVs yesterday in the opening session: “The first thing the government can do is provide the clarity. We desperately need that clarity because of the investment that needs to take place. We don’t have the regulation.
“Clearly there is this proposal where we end the sale of conventional petrol and diesel in 2030 and all fossil based fuels by 2035.
“That’s not in law. We not know what we are allowed to sell between 2030 and 2035 and that has a direct impact on investments because you do not know, if you are putting a vehicle or production technology on the market, how long you have to sell that to get a return on your investment.
Hawes suggested the zero emission mandate was lagging behind good or smart regulation.
“Secondly, we have a consultation for a zero emission mandate. Now that mandate will come into force in 116 days.
“We do not have the regulation. We have had two consultations and we do not have the response to the consultations.
“Normally if you are defining good regulation, smart regulation you get a couple of years to plan.
“We sit here in early September and most brands have to fix their products and budgets and product allocations for next year and you cannot do that on the basis of consultation. You need to see the regulation because that tells you what you can and cannot sell.”