FEWER petrol car models will be made in Britain to meet electric vehicle targets under new rules, the boss of a major car brand has warned.
Martin Sander, general manager of Ford's European Electric Car Division said the brand could limit production of combustion engines in Britain to increase EV sell and avoid significant fines.
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The boss warned about the UK government's new EV rules launched this year – and highlighted the problems they will cause for car brands.
Speaking at the Financial Times Future of the Car Summit, Sander said the only way to reach net zero targets without paying fines is to reduce the number of Ford petrol cars sold in Britain.
He added: “The only alternative is to take our shipments ICE [internal combustion engine] bringing vehicles into Britain and selling them elsewhere.
It comes next Rishi Sunak introduced the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate. in a bid to boost EV production in the country.
It is a set of strict rules that require manufacturers to relax production petrol And diesel electric car models.
The ZEV mandate will see brands that fail to meet EV production targets face a £15,000 fine for each vehicle that exceeds the threshold.
However, Ford has said it remains committed to an electric-only lineup by 2030, with an interim target of all its European models are electric or hybrid by 2026.
As part of that eco-friendly effort, the American giant reaffirmed its decision to end the legendary Focus hatchback.
The move was first announced in 2022, but Ford of Europe head Martin Sander doubled down on the decision this month.
When asked whether the Focus could be extended beyond its current expiration date in light of the EV battle, he remained firm.
Sander emphasized that the company has no “plans to expand Focus production” at its Saarlouis factory. Germany.
The only alternative is to take [Ford’s] shipments from ICE [internal combustion engine] bringing vehicles into Britain and selling them elsewhere
Martijn Sander
He added: “Long term, we still deeply believe that electric vehicles will be the future and we will see a significant increase in volume.
“By the end of this year we will have a full range of electric vehicles – both in the passenger car sector and in our commercial vehicle sector – and we are quite flexible to adapt to market demand. , we have a wide choice.
“Basically, our customers have the freedom to choose what they want.”
As a result, the model will mark the end of nearly three decades of production when the last example rolls off the assembly line in mid-2025.
That said, this isn't the end of the line Fords legendary range of smaller models.
Bosses have suggested hatchback EV models are on the way following the launch of a four-strong range of SUVs in the coming years.
It also comes after Ford made the decision to scrap the FiestaBritain's best-selling car for twelve years in a row, serving its electric future.
What is Britain's new ZEV mandate?
By means of Jacob Jaffa
The government's new Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, introduced by the Department for Transport, came into force across Britain in January.
- Developed together with decentralized governments in Scotland, Wales And Northern IrelandThe mandate requires a 22% share of new vehicles sold by any manufacturer in this country ZEV.
- The threshold will then increase each year, eventually reaching £100 by 2035.
- In case of non-compliance, car manufacturers will be forced to pay fine of £15,000 for each polluting vehicle sold above the limit. For example, if a brand misses its target by 100 units, it will have to pay a fine of as much as £1,500,000.
- A similar requirement is also being introduced van turnover, albeit at a lower starting point of 10%.
This move seemingly largely negates PM by Rishi Sunak decide to postpone the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035, announced in September, because manufacturers must make 80% of their production emission-free by the earlier deadline.
Minister for Technology and Decarbonisation, Anthony Browne, said: “As well as spending more than £2 billion on the transition to electric vehicles, our zero-emission vehicle mandate will further boost the economy and support manufacturers to secure skilled British jobs into the future to set. automotive industry.
“We are providing investment certainty to the charging sector to expand our charging network, which has already grown by 44% since this time last year.
“This will support the continually growing number of electric cars in Britain, which currently accounts for over 16% of the new UK car market.”
And Akira Kirton, the vice president of the charging provider BP pulseadded that the new rules would “instill confidence” in the future of electric vehicles.
Mr Kirton also confirmed the company's plans to invest £1 billion in improving charging infrastructure over the next ten years.