British Prime Minister Sunak recently announced that the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK, originally scheduled to take effect in 2030, will be delayed for five years. Year. The main reason is that this goal is unaffordable for people. Cost of living.
"We are slowing down the transition to electric vehicles. By 2035, you can still buy cars and minicars with gasoline and diesel engines. After 2035, you can also buy and sell used gasoline cars. ”
△Screenshot of Reuters report
In addition to fuel vehicles, Sunak also announced a series of slowdown plans:
Plans to phase out gas boilers have slowed significantly, with only plans to shut down 80% of gas boilers by 2035.
UK home energy efficiency regulations are being relaxed and homeowners are no longer required to make "expensive insulation upgrades" to meet energy efficiency targets.
To ensure that the UK is no longer dependent on the energy of countries such as Russia, the UK government will not restrict exploration of new oil and gas resources in the North Sea.
The UK was the first major economy to set a legally binding net-zero target, and the Sunak government's decision was immediately criticised by other parties, environmentalists and the business community.
"It's a dangerous and desperate turn"
Sunak said he would still meet his promise to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the UK by 2050, but would take a "more pragmatic, sensible and realistic" approach.
Sunak's revised climate change targets have drawn mutual criticism within the ruling Conservative Party.
The British government commented on the 21st that some representatives of the Conservative Party represented by former Prime Minister Johnson criticized Sunak's move for violating Britain's previous commitments. This creates uncertainty for the economy and in turn increases the financial burden on British households.
△Screenshot of the Financial Times website report
Sunak's decision has also drawn the ire of opposition parties and environmental groups.
Labour's shadow justice secretary Steve Reid has publicly stated that the UK could have become the world leader in net zero emissions by becoming the first major economy to set a legally binding net-zero target, "but the government simply opted to introduce it." Behind the scenes, British consumers will pay more. ”
△ Steve Reed (data map)
Carla Danye, leader of the Green Coalition Party in the UK, whose main political platform is the environment, also criticised Sunak for making dangerous and desperate changes, abandoning the UK's economy, the well-being of its citizens and the future habitability of the planet.
△Screenshot of the "Green World" website report
"Withdrawal policy is good for the UK"
Uncertainty over UK government policy has also stimulated the business community. The strongest criticism comes from companies that produce electric cars, solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations and other related companies.
News of the government's delay in several climate targets has sparked discontent among companies that make electric cars, solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations and other products.
No wonder these companies are so angry. In recent years, in order to meet the 2030 deadline to stop selling new fuel-powered vehicles, many car companies have taken the lead and invested a lot of money to help their cars electrify by the deadline, hoping that the new ban will make cars electric. Use gasoline from 2030. The goal of diesel vehicles is likely to increase consumer demand for electric vehicles.
In July, India's Tata Group, which owns Jaguar and Land Rover brands, announced plans to build a battery factory in western England. The total investment in the project is 4 billion pounds, and the UK government will provide financial support.
△Screenshot of ABC report
Earlier this month, BMW also announced that it would invest $750 million to produce electric mini cars in the UK. BMW plans to convert an assembly plant in Oxford into a factory for electric vehicles by 2030.
△Screenshot of CNN report
The change in attitude of the British government has undoubtedly disrupted the production and R&D plans of automakers.
Ford said delaying the ban on the sale of petrol-powered cars hurt business interests and that automakers needed the UK government to enforce the transition policy more forcefully.
Volkswagen said the UK government should introduce binding infrastructure development targets and incentives.
Industry analysts also point out that the UK may lose its advantages in new energy and green transport due to political changes.
Adrian Keane, CEO of the UK's Public Charging Network, believes the delay also puts investment in EV infrastructure at risk, not to mention the wider market including battery, solar and green energy innovation.
△Screenshot of Reuters report
In addition, according to a policy confirmed by the UK government earlier this week, from January 1, 2024, UK automakers will have to treat more than 20% of new cars sold as zero-emission vehicles or face a fine of 1.5A per vehicle. £10,000.
This has confused many in the automotive industry.
△ Screenshot of BBC website report
The UK's independent climate regulator, the Committee on Climate Change, is a statutory advisory body established under the UK's Climate Change Act. Committee Chairman Foster warned that political influence would further impede the UK from achieving its goals and make it harder for the UK to meet its legal obligations.
△Screenshot of Reuters report
Alexander Alexander, chief executive of the Sustainable Investment and Finance Association, also warned that if the UK government weakens investor confidence, the UK risks falling further behind in the global race to a green transition to net zero.
△Screenshot of the official website statement of the British Association for Sustainable Investment and Finance
Source丨Global Information Broadcast "Global Deep Observation"
Reporter 丨Wang full text
Editor丨Yang Nan commented on the signature丨Yan Ming Zhang Zhe
Producer丨Guan Juanjuan
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