Andy Burnham’s government has said it will look at cutting electric vehicle sales targets, in proposals that could add millions of tonnes a year to the UK’s future carbon dioxide emissions.
The government launched a consultation on Friday on cutting the target for new EVs to as little as 50% of all new cars in 2030, down from 80% under existing rules. The consultation will include several options, including leaving the headline target unchanged, or cutting it to 70%, 60% or 50%.
The announcement came hours after the UK recorded its hottest day of the year so far – and the fifth hottest ever – after a series of five heatwaves that scientists have said are almost certainly worsened by global heating.
Several homes burned down in the West Midlands, the UK’s traditional automotive centre, in grassfires on Thursday that may have been worsened by drought.