"The great electric car swindle" as Nissan calls for urgent changes to UK electric vehicle regulations

Nissan has issued a stark warning, calling for "urgent action" to amend regulations on electric vehicles (EV's) that could jeopardise its operations in the UK. The automotive giant, which provides employment for approximately 6,000 individuals at its Sunderland facility and sustains numerous additional jobs within its supply chain, was among several car producers that recently engaged with the Government regarding the UK’s Zero Emissions Vehicles Mandate. Chronicle Live readers are unsurprised and have been sharing their views on EV's in our comments section.

This mandate, effective from January 1, stipulates that a minimum of 22% of new cars sold by each manufacturer in the UK this year must be zero-emission, typically meaning fully electric, with this requirement set to increase annually to reach 80% by 2030.

Despite Nissan's dedication to producing electric vehicles, the company has expressed concerns that the current targets are "outdated" and cautioned that adherence to these goals "risks undermining the business case for manufacturing cars in the UK, and the viability of thousands of jobs and billions of pounds in investment". This alarming statement arrives just a fortnight after Nissan disclosed plans to slash 9,000 jobs worldwide due to a significant fall in sales, though it remains unclear if this will impact its North East operations.

In response, the Government released a statement this week which stops short of promising any revisions to the Zero Emissions Vehicles Mandate but says it wants to manage the switch to electric vehicles in a manner that promotes UK economic growth. The statement leaves some room for changes to the regulations.

Commenter Catsdad says: “You cannot make people buy what they don’t want or can’t afford. The Bev directives are anti democratic, economically suicidal and totally pointless, when Germany has just increased coal burning by 8%. The government needs to drop the dictat, and leave the development of the car industry to the marketplace.”

Dunstonian thinks: “This government will only be happy when car manufacturing goes abroad with the loss of thousands of jobs. Then they can reach Milliband's hare-brained net zero scheme that will end up costing every household thousands of pounds by the time they reach their target!”

Ipagardner replies: “It looks like Nissan are looking for another government handout. Why don't these businesses listen to the consumer and not the government pursuing policies determined by the WEF. The majority of the driving population will not accept EV's until you can charge them up in 5 mins and they give you a range of 500 miles. And most importantly the infrastructure is installed.”

Chronichell agrees: “Empty threats yet again in an attempt to gain some more grants and government funding. They've just added a huge battery plant next door so I can't see this happening. Plus they'd have to refund their last government grants/funding if they do lay off workers for reneging on the terms of the deal.”

JohnHenderson thinks: “Electric vehicles have a long way to go before people will buy them en masse. They will have to be significantly cheaper - secondly battery replacement will need to be much cheaper. Thirdly, mileage (range) will need to significantly increase and fourthly there will have to be a dramatic massive increase in the availability of recharging points. Yes they will sell, but I doubt on a grand scale until then.”

Chronichell replies: “I disagree, other than the high cost point. Batteries are proving to be more resilient and longer lasting than first thought, with some 10 year old cars with over 1/5 million miles having over 80% battery life remaining (just avoid super fast charging which cripples the batteries). This removes some of the fear of replacement battery cost. I think the main factor is that over half of the UK live in homes that don't support home charging, i.e. terraced streets, blocks of flats etc. This will take massive planning, cost and coordination to overcome.”

Thinwhite duke is not impressed: “Yes you're selling it to me, why drive 4 hours in a normal car to get to your destination when you can drive for 2 hours , spend another hour looking for a vacant charging point and sit around for 3 hours while the battery charges up before continuing your journey. All car manufacturers apart from Chinese are being affected, even VW are being forced to close plants. Try trading in your old EV - dealers won't take them.”

PDubs76 agrees: “Far too expensive to buy for the normal Joe and nobody is going to buy a 2nd hand one.”

Commomsenseman believes: “The great electric car swindle. Wake up people, all this green guff and climate change nonsense is just another way to extort more tax from you.”

Prospector57 says finally: “It’s just a car! Buy a classic with no tax, no MOT, ULEZ free, you’re sorted!”

How do you feel about electric vehicles? Are they the future? Have your say in our comments section.