Oxford-based Mini has announced it 'will not change' from from its plan of becoming a ‘purely electric brand from 2030 globally’ despite a new ban on petrol and diesel cars being pushed back.
Prime Mininster Rishi Sunak revealed this week that the ban on new petrol and diesel cars will be pushed back from 2030 to 2035.
The government previously announced that it would ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030, allowing certain hybrid cars to remain on sale until 2035.
READ MORE: £600m investment in Oxford to transform Mini plant to fully electric
By then, all new cars had to completely zero-emissions.
However, Mr Sunak has announced that certain climate change policies, such as the petrol and diesel car ban, will be delayed.
Many car manufacturers have already made firm commitments to dates when they will move to fully zero-emissions cars – many well ahead of the 2035 deadline – and have said they ‘will not change’, despite the government moving its climate commitments.
Mini, which manufactures its cars in Oxford, had recently announced it would produce its fully-electric Cooper and Aceman models in the UK from 2026.
While a spokesman for Mini said it ‘cannot comment on speculation’, he added: “We and the whole automotive industry needs clarity on the ZEV [zero-emissions vehicle] topic.”
A total of £600m will be invested into the Mini factories at Oxford and Swindon to transform the plant in Cowley to all electric production.
The Oxford Mini plant already produces the Mini three-door, the Mini five-door as well as the Mini Clubman and the Mini Electric.
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Speaking at the announcement in Oxford last Monday, Milan Nedeljkovic, member of BMW’s board of management responsible for production, said: “With this new investment we will develop the Oxford plant for production of the new generation of electric Minis and set the path for purely electric car manufacturing in the future.”
Business and trade secretary Kemi Badenoch attended the Cowley plant for the announcement and described the investment as a “big vote of confidence in the UK economy”
Other car manufacturers across the country have also made similar pledges.
Jaguar Land Rover has committed to being a ‘pure-electric brand’ from 2025.
A JLR statement said: “Our plans are on track and we welcome certainty around legislation for the end of sale of petrol and diesel powered cars.”
The SMMT, which represents the UK automotive industry as a whole, has said the mixed-messaging ‘will hold consumers back’ in making the switch to electric.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: “Consumers must want to make the switch [to electric], which requires from Government a clear, consistent message, attractive incentives and charging infrastructure that gives confidence rather than anxiety.
"Confusion and uncertainty will only hold them back.”
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