Andy Burnham’s government has launched a consultation on reducing the proportion of new cars that must be fully electric by 2030, potentially lowering the target from 80% to 50%. The proposal matters because a slower shift away from petrol and diesel vehicles could add millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, while ministers argue that changes may ease pressure on UK carmakers.

Options include retaining the 80% target or reducing it to 70%, 60% or 50%, with the consultation open until 23 October. Electric car sales rose 29% this year and represented a quarter of UK sales in the first seven months, but manufacturers say the mandate forces costly discounts and threatens jobs; climate groups and charging firms oppose weakening it, as EVs are expected to make the largest contribution to emissions cuts this decade.