On Tuesday, NFDA hosted our annual Parliamentary Dinner at the House of Lords for members, MPs and lords. Among attendees was Keir Mather MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation. Government Commitment and Support for EVs Mather reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to its existing goals, while stressing a willingness to work closely with the automotive industry and understand its concerns. He pointed to several measures already introduced to support electric vehicle (EV) adoption. Central among these was the Electric Car Grant, which has been implemented and subsequently extended. Now valued at £2 billion through to 2029–30, the grant is designed to reduce the upfront cost of EVs for consumers and directly responded to the NFDA’s call for stronger fiscal incentives. Further support includes an increase to the Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) Expensive Car Supplement threshold for EVs from April 2026. This change is expected to save over one million drivers approximately £440 per year over the next five years. In addition, the Government has announced £200 million in new funding for EV charging infrastructure, acknowledging the ongoing challenges around accessibility and capacity. Opposition Voices Gareth Davies MP, Shadow Business and Trade Minister, focused heavily on the economic implications of current policy. He outlined proposals to scrap business rates entirely and abolish the ZEV Mandate, arguing that regulatory burdens are undermining competitiveness. Shadow Transport Minister Greg Smith MP also questioned the current framework, pointing to the growing role of synthetic fuels. He noted that Formula 1 is running entirely on synthetic fuels this year, demonstrating the potential of alternative technologies. Smith argued that many vehicles capable of running on synthetic fuels fail to meet ZEV Mandate requirements, exposing weaknesses in the current policy. He stressed that abolishing the mandate should not be interpreted as being anti-zero emissions, but rather as recognising the importance of exploring alternatives at a time when EV demand remains subdued. Parliamentary Support Sharon Hodgson MP highlighted the automotive industry’s vital contribution to the UK economy and employment, particularly within her constituency, which hosts the Nissan manufacturing plant. She emphasised her strong engagement with government and noted her successful lobbying efforts to shelve proposed ECOS changes. Hodgson reiterated her openness to working with the industry and referenced her ongoing relationship with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Industry Perspectives: Skills, Costs and Infrastructure Industry representatives echoed many of these concerns. Eddie Hawthorne called for reform of the apprenticeship levy, noting that despite differences between Scotland and England, many businesses view the levy as little more than a tax rather than a tool for workforce development. Richard Roberts acknowledged the importance of the ZEV Mandate in phasing out emissions but warned that, in its current form, it is “killing the automotive business.” Peter Vosper reinforced the non-partisan nature of the issue, highlighting persistent problems with charging infrastructure. He cited examples of customers struggling to find reliable and affordable charging, particularly those without access to home charging. High installation costs for charging points at business sites and the expense of public charging were also raised as significant barriers to EV adoption. Conclusion: A Growing Consensus for Change Despite differing political perspectives, there was broad consensus across parties and industry that the ZEV Mandate needs to change in some form if the automotive sector is to thrive. While EVs account for around 24% of total vehicle sales, speakers noted that once fleet purchases are excluded, true consumer demand may be closer to just 4%. The prevailing view was that a compromise is required, one that allows the UK to continue progressing towards its emissions targets, while slowing the pace of transition to avoid severe disruption to the automotive industry. Finding this balance, speakers agreed, will be critical to ensuring both environmental and economic sustainability in the years ahead.