UK EVs: A Lack of Joined Up Thinking?

Electric vehicles (EVs) generate fewer harmful emissions than petrol or diesel-fuelled counterparts. They, consequently, have a much lesser impact on both global heating and poor air quality. EVs, however, cost more than current fossil-fuelled vehicles. Some countries have been much more successful than others, in their encouragement of EV uptake (think Norway). The UK is proving exceptionally poor in this respect. A previous UK government brought in laws imposing, after 2030, a £15,000 penalty on its car manufacturers for each petrol or diesel vehicle sold outside a quota. Sluggish EV sales and these proposed fines, are consequently convincing car and van manufacturers that the UK simply isn't a good place to operate or invest. The current government has the problem of wanting to a) continue the transition to carbon zero and b) retain its car/van manufacturing industries. It's currently considering possible changes to the penalties and giving of cheaper loans, to encourage EV purchase (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/dec/01/loans-uk-motorists-electric-ev-fines). Concomittantly, London's mayor is upsetting electric van operators. Electric vans are used for home deliveries in the capital by some companies. These vans are expensive as well as not being easily rechargeable in some locations. A major inducement for their adoption, however, has been their being exempt from the daily congestion charge applied to other vehicles. The mayor proposes that, by Christmas 2025, such electric vans will get the same congestion charge as diesel-powered alternatives. Money is needed to pay for roads but this seems a badly-timed response (https://vanfleetworld.co.uk/scrapping-congestion-charge-exemption-will-choke-off-electric-van-switch/#:~:text=from%20Christmas%202025.-,Drivers%20of%20electric%20vans%20currently%20receive%20a%20100%25%20discount%20on,end%20by%2025%20December%202025.). Adoption of EVs is especially important in a congested city like London. London has traffic problems and poor air quality. EV uptake can be mandated for regulated vehicles, like buses, fire engines, taxis, police cars and waste collection trucks. Now, however, doesn't seem the time to discourage private delivery van fleets from making the same transition.