UK slackens automaker fines as EV market shrinks

With tariffs in the USA looming large and electric vehicle production targets looking increasingly unrealistic, Great Britain has felt the need to support its own automotive industry instead of ramping up fines.

In particular, the previously introduced fine for all EV makers who fail to sell enough electric vehicles has been slashed by 20%. The ban on installing internal combustion engines in light commercial vehicles has been pushed back from 2030 to 2035.

Last but not least, the UK has prepared a treat for its luxury and exclusive car manufacturers. If such a company sells fewer than 2,500 luxury ICE cars per year on the domestic market, it will be allowed to continue doing so after the impending ICE car ban. Aston Martin, Bentley, Lotus and McLaren all pass this check, so they should now be unaffected by the country’s arguably overzealous environment preservation agenda.