Polestar’s UK boss has said that the arrival of Andy Burnham as the UK’s new Prime Minister is a chance to bring “decisive action” on the UK’s EV future.
Matt Galvin, managing director of Polestar UK, said that the new PM had shown a commitment to cleaner travel during his time as mayor of Manchester and urged him to do the same across the UK.
He urged Burnham not to soften the current 2030 ZEV Mandate targets and called for an enhanced package of support to help more drivers make the switch to electric sooner, including used car grants and a pause on the planned eVED tax.
“As Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham championed decisive action to improve air quality, driving the ambition for a zero-emission transport network to deliver cleaner air, quieter streets and healthier communities for Mancunians”, noted Galvin. “As Prime Minister, he now can bring that same leadership to the national stage.”
Galvin said that the UK was at a “tipping point” EV adoption and called on the new PM to take steps to stimulate the market, particularly in the second-hand sector.
He said: “With second-hand EV sales growing, the new government must accelerate this by stimulating the pre-owned market through grants and a scrappage scheme for the most polluting vehicles. This is where most people buy their cars and it will be the engine of future growth.”
Galvin also insisted that Burnham’s cabinet should not weaken plans to ban sales of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, despite widespread pressure from the broader car industry.
He continued: “The government must also maintain the 2030 deadline for ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, delay electric vehicle tax until EVs represent the majority of cars on our roads and reduce VAT on public charging.
“Together, these measures will lower motoring costs, strengthen energy security, and create thousands of skilled jobs.
“Recent international volatility has underlined the need to seize every opportunity to take greater control of our economy and reduce our dependence on global energy markets. It is an opportunity we must seize with both hands.”
