The auto industry has called for a “redoubling of efforts to improve charging infrastructure and enhance UK competitiveness”.
It claimed a third of British made cars were now electrified (though did not mention most UK made cars are exported), and more plug-in vehicles were expected to be registered this year than in the last decade.
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“However, if the sector – and society – is to achieve net zero on the back of British manufacturing, then some key challenges must be met,” SMMT said.
Outgoing SMMT president George Gillespie said: “It is so frustrating to find broken chargers, blocked chargers, multiple apps, confusing payment schemes. This is quickly going to turn a lot of people off electric vehicles and all our work in developing these fantastic vehicles will be wasted.”
SMMT claimed manufacturers were “firmly committed to decarbonise cars and vans by 2035 but significant challenges remain”.
“The global shortage of semiconductors is decimating production output and leading to delays in customer deliveries. The UK manufacturing sector is also hindered by high energy prices, uncompetitive business rates and additional trade costs compared to its competitors in Europe and beyond.
“Long-term strategies are needed to address these deficiencies, and close collaboration between industry and government will be critical if the industry is to remain internationally competitive.”
