A coordinated and powerful lobbying effort by the UK’s automotive giants has successfully reshaped the nation’s green transport policy. Documents reveal how carmakers like Jaguar Land Rover and Nissan systematically argued against the government’s electric vehicle targets, citing threats to jobs and investment.
The campaign’s success hinged on detailed arguments presented in private. Nissan warned that compliance costs would become “critical,” diverting funds from UK research. JLR complained about a credit system that inadvertently supported Chinese competitors, while BMW stressed the difficulties of post-Brexit manufacturing.
These arguments created a narrative of an industry on the brink, forced to choose between meeting environmental targets and maintaining its UK presence. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) amplified this message, warning of “decarbonisation at the cost of de-industrialisation.”
Faced with this unified front, the government relented in April, softening the ZEV mandate. While this has provided the industry with breathing room, it has sparked outrage among environmental groups who see it as a shortsighted decision that prioritises corporate profits over the UK’s long-term climate health.