Unite, the UK’s largest union for car workers, cautioned that a
call to bring forward the government’s target to ban new sales of
petrol and diesel vehicles to 2032 could be undeliverable because
of a lack of investment and ministers’ piecemeal approach to the
transition to electric and alternatively powered vehicles. The
call, published today (Friday 19 October) by the House of Commons
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy committee in a report
called Electric vehicles:...Request free trial
Unite, the UK’s largest union for car workers, cautioned that a
call to bring forward the government’s target to ban new sales of
petrol and diesel vehicles to 2032 could be undeliverable because
of a lack of investment and ministers’ piecemeal approach to the
transition to electric and alternatively powered vehicles.
The call, published today (Friday 19 October) by the
House of Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy committee
in a report called Electric vehicles: driving the
transition, comes in the same week the UK government confirmed
it would be cutting grants to help buy electric and hybrid
vehicles.
Responding to the report, Unite, which gave evidence to
the committee, echoed many of the report’s criticisms, but warned
that a lack of government investment in electric charging
infrastructure, combined with an absence a ‘just transition’ from
conventional to electric and alternatively powered vehicles would
make targets to reduce emissions meaningless.
Commenting Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke
said: “Unite echoes many of the committee’s criticisms over
the government’s approach to reducing emissions and the transition
to electric and alternatively powered vehicles.
“However, we would caution against bringing forward targets to ban
the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles along with dismissing
hybrids from the mix.
“The government’s 2040 targets for zero emission cars are in our
view damaging to the industry even with grants for electric and
hybrid vehicles. Given the government’s decision to cut these
grants, then bringing the targets forward to 2032 is a
non-runner.
“This is further compounded by the UK government’s lack of
investment in charging infrastructure and an absence of planning
for a ‘just transition’ to electric and alternatively powered
vehicles that protects jobs and skills.
“We need a planned informed approach in the move to zero emission
vehicles rather than arbitrary targets. This must include impact
assessments of targets on jobs, the supply chain and the regions of
the UK.
“The car industry is currently being rocked by Brexit uncertainty
and ministers’ mixed messages over diesel. UK car workers need to
know the government is backing them and prepared to make the
investment and take the action needed to ensure our world beating
car industry meets the challenges of the future and continues to be
a source for quality well paid jobs.”
