Grant Schapps was talking this morning about petrol and diesel car sales possibly being banned as early as 2032. But that leaves almost literally no time at all, because a lot of car buyers think about the long-term value of their vehicles and 12 years is the blink of an eye.
It's vitally important to transition to electric vehicles. But with the auto industry already struggling in the UK much more than in other countries, do we really want to add one of the most draconian environmental regimes in the world on top of Brexit and the diesel scandal?
Thing is, people will definitely care about resale value 6-7 years ahead, so 2032 is more like 2025. But it takes years to retool and ramp up production, especially for a shift as dramatic as internal combustion to electric. So the real impact will be a disastrous lack of choice.
Remember, other countries aren't working to the same timetable. So their consumers won't be clamouring for EV like those in the UK.
So what do manufacturers do? Convert production lines at vast expense mainly for the UK? Or cut their losses and give up on us?
So what do manufacturers do? Convert production lines at vast expense mainly for the UK? Or cut their losses and give up on us?
Most of the current UK production lines don't make electric cars. Faced with too many costly problems, I expect manufacturers to give up instead.
Electric Reliant Robins for all under a nationalised car industry? What joy! They'll be able to race the electric milk float trucks.
Electric Reliant Robins for all under a nationalised car industry? What joy! They'll be able to race the electric milk float trucks.
