AlleyCat
2024-05-10 01:59:20 UTC
EV Car CEO Says Demand For EVs Has "Dried Up" And Calls Plans To Phase Out Gas-
Powered Cars By 2035 "Barmy."
https://telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/05/09/delay-petrol-ban-beyond-2035-says-
sir-jim-ratcliffe
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GNLpCC3WYAAow1w?format=jpg&name=large
=====
Delay Petrol Ban Beyond 2035, Says Sir Jim Radcliff
Billionaire Calls For Relaxing of Net Zero Laws As Demand For Electric Cars
'Dries Up'
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has called for the ban on all petrol car sales to be delayed
beyond 2035, as the British industrial tycoon warned that demand for electric
vehicles (EVs) has "dried up".
The billionaire behind petrochemicals giant Ineos is lobbying the UK Government
to relax net zero laws so that low-emission vehicles can be sold even after the
planned cut-off point, as an "interim" step towards cleaner technologies.
This could include electric cars fitted with petrol-powered range extenders as
well as plug-in hybrids that rely on their batteries most of the time.
Sir Jim's intervention comes amid a wave of criticism of the Government's net
zero stance from some of the world's biggest carmakers, including Ford and the
owner of Vauxhall.
It is understood that the tycoon's car brand, Ineos Automotive, which is itself
preparing to launch an EV with a range-extender, has held meetings with the
Government about the issue.
Writing for The Telegraph, Sir Jim blames consumer "range anxiety" - the fear
they will run out of battery and be unable to charge - for a slowdown in EV
sales, arguing that plans to make carmakers go all-electric by 2035 are
"barmy".
The 71-year-old, whose empire includes Manchester United football club as well
as the Grangemouth oil refinery, a major supplier of petrol, adds: "Electric is
fine and dandy for the short local journey, but should you decide to head off
for the hills, forget it.
"And hence demand has dried up."
He also claims switching road transport from fossil fuels to electric "is not
like flipping a light switch", and that alternatives to EVs such as hydrogen
fuel cells should be considered, adding: "There needs to be a transition period
between fossil fuels and green fuels.
"The interim solution today which serves the need of the consumer is either the
hybrid or electric vehicle with range extender.
"This is not the politician's utopian world, but it serves the consumer well
and maintains a very positive trajectory towards zero emissions during this
transitional phase."
Ineos Automotive was founded in 2018 and currently represents less than 0.1pc
of UK car sales, making it comparable in size to Maserati, according to
industry data.
But Sir Jim's intervention is the most direct challenge to the UK's 2035 ban on
new petrol car sales so far by a manufacturer, at a time when others are also
voicing dissent.
In recent weeks, major carmakers including Volkswagen, Ford and Vauxhall owner
Stellantis have publicly vented their frustration at laws requiring them to
sell ever-higher proportions of EVs regardless of consumer demand.
Carlos Tavares, chief executive of Stellantis, claimed measures such as the
UK's zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate were "crashing into reality" as sales
of EVs stall across Europe.
Both he and Martin Sander, general manager of Ford's European electric car
business, also warned their companies could be forced to sell fewer cars in
Britain in order to comply with the legislation and avoid fines, a move that
could potentially push up prices for consumers.
However, on Wednesday a senior car industry source suggested most manufacturers
were likely to be against further changes to the 2035 ban, arguing that Rishi
Sunak's decision to delay the move had already given consumers an impression
"they don't need to worry about EVs".
It came as both BMW and Volkswagen urged the European Union not impose tariffs
on Chinese EVs on Wednesday, amid a rift between Germany and France over how to
tackle an expected wave of cheap exports.
Oliver Zipse, chairman of BMW Group, claimed fears about an onslaught of
Chinese EV arriving on the Continent were overblown and that imposing
restrictions flew in the face of free trade.
He pointed to the operations of foreign carmakers in China, which is BMW's
biggest market, and warned that getting into a tit-for-tat trade war would
"harm German industry much more than the other way around".
Hours later, Thomas Schäfer, brand chief executive for Volkswagen, echoed his
concerns, warning that putting tariffs in place would inevitably trigger
"retaliation" from Beijing.
Their comments come as an EU investigation into alleged subsidies provided to
Chinese manufacturers rumbles on, with officials expected to report back in the
summer.
European capitals remain split on the prospect of tariffs, with Germany
expressing caution and France adopting a tougher position.
But Mr Zipse said: "We have very good market access in China. And in the other
way around, if all of a sudden we're trying to close down the borders, because
we're so afraid. This is not what free trade is about.
"I think we have a right to be self confident and don't be so afraid, as the
European Union currently is."
Separately, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
showed a surge of second-hand EVs entered the market in the first three months
of 2024.
The industry group said the number of used EV sales leapt 71pc to 41,505,
causing the electric segment to reach a record market share of 2.1pc.
Hybrids also sold in greater volumes, posting a 49pc rise to 74,502 sales, with
plug-ins enjoying a 43pc rise to 22,065.
A Department for Transport spokesman said: "The Government has already delayed
the phase out of petrol and diesel engines to 2035, to allow time for consumers
to make the choice to switch to electric.
"Many EVs already have a range of over 300 miles and demand continues to grow,
with a higher volume of EVs sold in March this year than ever before.
"We're addressing range anxiety by rolling out more public charging points than
ever before - with 44pc more this month than last year."
Related Topics
=====
May:
Heavy May Snow Hits the Sierra Nevada
Concordia Below -70C (-94F) for 10-Days
Cooling In The Tropical Pacific
Vostok's Coldest April Since 1999
Global Temperature Expected To Fall In May
Tonga Eruption Responsible For Toasty 2023 (nyah nyah!)
Missing Spring In Jackson, WY
Cool Summer Forecast For Much Of The Northern Hemisphere
Record May Cold Sweeps India
Rare April Cold Hits Antarctica (-112F)
Heavy Spring Snow Traps 1,000 Vehicles In Northern India
Wild Swings In New Jersey
The Wind Didn't Blow As Hard In 2023
April:
(An end of snow) Avalanche Hits Kashmir
Mid-May Frosts Forecast For Europe
Prairies Plantings To See Snow Delay
UK Breaks Long-Standing Cold Record
Heavy Spring Snow Sweeps Northern India
Antarctica To -77C (-106.6F)
Another Meter Of Snow Hits The Alps
Europe's Crop Losses Worsen - "The Biggest Disaster Of The Last 100 Years"
Frost Damage Reported From France To Ukraine
Growers In Canada And Northeast Also Suffer
Australia To Shiver Into May, Defying BoM Predictions
Record Cold Strikes Northern Ontario
Rare April Snow Continues Across Europe
Europe Breaks Historic Low Temperature Records As Rare Spring Snow Falls on
Major Cities
Norwegian Ski Resort on For Bumper Summer Season
Europe Freezes
No Spring In Sight For Much of Russia
Temperatures Are Falling Globally
Feet of Spring Snow Pound Colorado
U.S. Braces For Record April Cold
Socal's Back-To-Back Bumper Snow Seasons
Cold And Snow To Persist Into May Across Europe
Scabbard on For Cold April
Switzerland's Snow Matches Historic 1974-75 Season
Heavy Snow Slams Northwestern Iran
Europe Braces For Spring Freeze
Another Three Avalanche Deaths In The Alps
Indian State Suffers Coldest April Day on Record
Today's Arctic Sea Ice Extent Matches 1996
Snow Remains In Northern India
54 Spots
NZ's Record-Cold March
Rare April Snow Hits Bay Area
More Snow For Midwest/New
Scandinavia Extends Historic Cold Spell, As Europe Sets Snow Records
Feet Of Spring Snow Pound Colorado
Southern Cal's Back-To-Back Bumper Snow Seasons
Svalbard On For Cold April
Indian State Suffers Coldest April Day On Record
The Arctic Was Warmer In The 1920s
Germany Regrets Disbanding Nuclear Plants, It Was A "Mistake"
Yukon Snowpack Breaks Records
Early Snows Hit Australia's Ski Fields
It's Still Snowing On Kilimanjaro... Al Gore Was Wrong (as usual)
Alyeska Exceeds 700 Inches
Rare April Snow Hits Boise
Montreal's Snowiest April Since 2010
Clearing Crews Reach Baralacha
Antarctica At -75.8C (-104.4F)
Alta Posts Rare Back-To-Back 600+ Inch Winters
Indian Army Rescues 80 Trapped By Spring Snowfall
Remarkable Antarctic Sea Ice Recovery
April Nor'Easter Drops Feet Of Snow
600,000 Lose Power As 'Spring' Storm Batters Quebec
Avalanche Hits Helicopter In The Alps, Killing 3
Scandinavia Breaks Historic Low Temperature Stretch
New Zealand's Record-Cold March
Rare April Snow To Dust Bay Area Peaks
More Snow For The Midwest/Northeast
Scandinavia Extends Spell Of Historic April Cold, As Europe's Mountain Snow
reaks Records
Sweden Sets Coldest April Temperature
Swiss Avalanche Kills 3
Utah Snowpack At 132%, California Defies The 'Experts'
Anchorage Only 6.3" Away From All-Time Record
Colder-Than-Average March At Vostok
Antarctica Dips Below -100F
"Significant Spring Snowstorm" Takes Aim At Canada/Northern US
April Snow Builds Across Europe's Higher Elevations
Powered Cars By 2035 "Barmy."
https://telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/05/09/delay-petrol-ban-beyond-2035-says-
sir-jim-ratcliffe
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GNLpCC3WYAAow1w?format=jpg&name=large
=====
Delay Petrol Ban Beyond 2035, Says Sir Jim Radcliff
Billionaire Calls For Relaxing of Net Zero Laws As Demand For Electric Cars
'Dries Up'
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has called for the ban on all petrol car sales to be delayed
beyond 2035, as the British industrial tycoon warned that demand for electric
vehicles (EVs) has "dried up".
The billionaire behind petrochemicals giant Ineos is lobbying the UK Government
to relax net zero laws so that low-emission vehicles can be sold even after the
planned cut-off point, as an "interim" step towards cleaner technologies.
This could include electric cars fitted with petrol-powered range extenders as
well as plug-in hybrids that rely on their batteries most of the time.
Sir Jim's intervention comes amid a wave of criticism of the Government's net
zero stance from some of the world's biggest carmakers, including Ford and the
owner of Vauxhall.
It is understood that the tycoon's car brand, Ineos Automotive, which is itself
preparing to launch an EV with a range-extender, has held meetings with the
Government about the issue.
Writing for The Telegraph, Sir Jim blames consumer "range anxiety" - the fear
they will run out of battery and be unable to charge - for a slowdown in EV
sales, arguing that plans to make carmakers go all-electric by 2035 are
"barmy".
The 71-year-old, whose empire includes Manchester United football club as well
as the Grangemouth oil refinery, a major supplier of petrol, adds: "Electric is
fine and dandy for the short local journey, but should you decide to head off
for the hills, forget it.
"And hence demand has dried up."
He also claims switching road transport from fossil fuels to electric "is not
like flipping a light switch", and that alternatives to EVs such as hydrogen
fuel cells should be considered, adding: "There needs to be a transition period
between fossil fuels and green fuels.
"The interim solution today which serves the need of the consumer is either the
hybrid or electric vehicle with range extender.
"This is not the politician's utopian world, but it serves the consumer well
and maintains a very positive trajectory towards zero emissions during this
transitional phase."
Ineos Automotive was founded in 2018 and currently represents less than 0.1pc
of UK car sales, making it comparable in size to Maserati, according to
industry data.
But Sir Jim's intervention is the most direct challenge to the UK's 2035 ban on
new petrol car sales so far by a manufacturer, at a time when others are also
voicing dissent.
In recent weeks, major carmakers including Volkswagen, Ford and Vauxhall owner
Stellantis have publicly vented their frustration at laws requiring them to
sell ever-higher proportions of EVs regardless of consumer demand.
Carlos Tavares, chief executive of Stellantis, claimed measures such as the
UK's zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate were "crashing into reality" as sales
of EVs stall across Europe.
Both he and Martin Sander, general manager of Ford's European electric car
business, also warned their companies could be forced to sell fewer cars in
Britain in order to comply with the legislation and avoid fines, a move that
could potentially push up prices for consumers.
However, on Wednesday a senior car industry source suggested most manufacturers
were likely to be against further changes to the 2035 ban, arguing that Rishi
Sunak's decision to delay the move had already given consumers an impression
"they don't need to worry about EVs".
It came as both BMW and Volkswagen urged the European Union not impose tariffs
on Chinese EVs on Wednesday, amid a rift between Germany and France over how to
tackle an expected wave of cheap exports.
Oliver Zipse, chairman of BMW Group, claimed fears about an onslaught of
Chinese EV arriving on the Continent were overblown and that imposing
restrictions flew in the face of free trade.
He pointed to the operations of foreign carmakers in China, which is BMW's
biggest market, and warned that getting into a tit-for-tat trade war would
"harm German industry much more than the other way around".
Hours later, Thomas Schäfer, brand chief executive for Volkswagen, echoed his
concerns, warning that putting tariffs in place would inevitably trigger
"retaliation" from Beijing.
Their comments come as an EU investigation into alleged subsidies provided to
Chinese manufacturers rumbles on, with officials expected to report back in the
summer.
European capitals remain split on the prospect of tariffs, with Germany
expressing caution and France adopting a tougher position.
But Mr Zipse said: "We have very good market access in China. And in the other
way around, if all of a sudden we're trying to close down the borders, because
we're so afraid. This is not what free trade is about.
"I think we have a right to be self confident and don't be so afraid, as the
European Union currently is."
Separately, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
showed a surge of second-hand EVs entered the market in the first three months
of 2024.
The industry group said the number of used EV sales leapt 71pc to 41,505,
causing the electric segment to reach a record market share of 2.1pc.
Hybrids also sold in greater volumes, posting a 49pc rise to 74,502 sales, with
plug-ins enjoying a 43pc rise to 22,065.
A Department for Transport spokesman said: "The Government has already delayed
the phase out of petrol and diesel engines to 2035, to allow time for consumers
to make the choice to switch to electric.
"Many EVs already have a range of over 300 miles and demand continues to grow,
with a higher volume of EVs sold in March this year than ever before.
"We're addressing range anxiety by rolling out more public charging points than
ever before - with 44pc more this month than last year."
Related Topics
=====
May:
Heavy May Snow Hits the Sierra Nevada
Concordia Below -70C (-94F) for 10-Days
Cooling In The Tropical Pacific
Vostok's Coldest April Since 1999
Global Temperature Expected To Fall In May
Tonga Eruption Responsible For Toasty 2023 (nyah nyah!)
Missing Spring In Jackson, WY
Cool Summer Forecast For Much Of The Northern Hemisphere
Record May Cold Sweeps India
Rare April Cold Hits Antarctica (-112F)
Heavy Spring Snow Traps 1,000 Vehicles In Northern India
Wild Swings In New Jersey
The Wind Didn't Blow As Hard In 2023
April:
(An end of snow) Avalanche Hits Kashmir
Mid-May Frosts Forecast For Europe
Prairies Plantings To See Snow Delay
UK Breaks Long-Standing Cold Record
Heavy Spring Snow Sweeps Northern India
Antarctica To -77C (-106.6F)
Another Meter Of Snow Hits The Alps
Europe's Crop Losses Worsen - "The Biggest Disaster Of The Last 100 Years"
Frost Damage Reported From France To Ukraine
Growers In Canada And Northeast Also Suffer
Australia To Shiver Into May, Defying BoM Predictions
Record Cold Strikes Northern Ontario
Rare April Snow Continues Across Europe
Europe Breaks Historic Low Temperature Records As Rare Spring Snow Falls on
Major Cities
Norwegian Ski Resort on For Bumper Summer Season
Europe Freezes
No Spring In Sight For Much of Russia
Temperatures Are Falling Globally
Feet of Spring Snow Pound Colorado
U.S. Braces For Record April Cold
Socal's Back-To-Back Bumper Snow Seasons
Cold And Snow To Persist Into May Across Europe
Scabbard on For Cold April
Switzerland's Snow Matches Historic 1974-75 Season
Heavy Snow Slams Northwestern Iran
Europe Braces For Spring Freeze
Another Three Avalanche Deaths In The Alps
Indian State Suffers Coldest April Day on Record
Today's Arctic Sea Ice Extent Matches 1996
Snow Remains In Northern India
54 Spots
NZ's Record-Cold March
Rare April Snow Hits Bay Area
More Snow For Midwest/New
Scandinavia Extends Historic Cold Spell, As Europe Sets Snow Records
Feet Of Spring Snow Pound Colorado
Southern Cal's Back-To-Back Bumper Snow Seasons
Svalbard On For Cold April
Indian State Suffers Coldest April Day On Record
The Arctic Was Warmer In The 1920s
Germany Regrets Disbanding Nuclear Plants, It Was A "Mistake"
Yukon Snowpack Breaks Records
Early Snows Hit Australia's Ski Fields
It's Still Snowing On Kilimanjaro... Al Gore Was Wrong (as usual)
Alyeska Exceeds 700 Inches
Rare April Snow Hits Boise
Montreal's Snowiest April Since 2010
Clearing Crews Reach Baralacha
Antarctica At -75.8C (-104.4F)
Alta Posts Rare Back-To-Back 600+ Inch Winters
Indian Army Rescues 80 Trapped By Spring Snowfall
Remarkable Antarctic Sea Ice Recovery
April Nor'Easter Drops Feet Of Snow
600,000 Lose Power As 'Spring' Storm Batters Quebec
Avalanche Hits Helicopter In The Alps, Killing 3
Scandinavia Breaks Historic Low Temperature Stretch
New Zealand's Record-Cold March
Rare April Snow To Dust Bay Area Peaks
More Snow For The Midwest/Northeast
Scandinavia Extends Spell Of Historic April Cold, As Europe's Mountain Snow
reaks Records
Sweden Sets Coldest April Temperature
Swiss Avalanche Kills 3
Utah Snowpack At 132%, California Defies The 'Experts'
Anchorage Only 6.3" Away From All-Time Record
Colder-Than-Average March At Vostok
Antarctica Dips Below -100F
"Significant Spring Snowstorm" Takes Aim At Canada/Northern US
April Snow Builds Across Europe's Higher Elevations