An employment expert has urged the Government to offer more support to vehicle manufacturers, warning that the current Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate does not support thousands of jobs in the automotive sector.

The UK Government is currently rethinking its strategy to encourage the sale of electric vehicles to be more supportive to the automotive industry after both Ford and Stellantis, who own brands including Vauxhall, Citroen, and Fiat, announced job cuts in Britain at the end of 2024.

Sharon Graham, General Secretary of the employment union Unite, warned that the current plans put even more employees at risk.

She explained: “The ZEV Mandate’s current focus on vehicle sales alone will not bring about the changes needed to electrify Britain’s road transport network. It is a blunt tool that risks jobs rather than encouraging people to purchase EVs.

“The reforms laid out in Unite’s strategy are sensible and achievable. They will further the Government’s Net Zero plans by incentivising EV sales as well as spurring UK vehicle production and providing protections for thousands of automotive workers.”

The Government’s original ZEV Mandate gave all manufacturers an increasing quota of electric vehicles to sell each year, banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in 2030.

However, the quota’s fine of £15,000 per unsold vehicle resulted in car brands spending a staggering £2 billion discounting electric cars in order to generate more interest from the general public.

Whilst these measures helped to make the UK the largest buyer of electric cars in Europe during 2024, overtaking Germany for the first time, some motoring experts warned that the measures came at the cost of manufacturers and their employees.

Previously, Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), suggested that the new ZEV Mandate must support companies and customers alike.

He added: “A record year for EV registrations underscores vehicle manufacturers’ unswerving commitment to a decarbonised new car market, with more choice, better range and increased affordability than ever before. This has come at huge cost, however, with the billions invested in new models being supplemented by generous incentives which are unsustainable.

“We need rapid results from the regulatory review and urgent substantive support for consumers – else automotive investments will be at risk and the jobs, economic growth and net zero ambitions we all share in jeopardy.”