Climate Policy Engagement Analysis
Climate Policy Engagement Overview: The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) appears to be engaging strategically with both positive and negative positions on UK automotive climate policy in 2022-24. While SMMT supports some measures promoting electric vehicles, such as charging infrastructure expansion and purchase incentives, the group’s engagement on the UK’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate appears more negative.
Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: SMMT’s top-line messaging on climate policy is positive but limited. In its 2023 Sustainability Report, published in July 2023, SMMT supported the UK's net-zero by 2050 target. In its Manifesto 2030 report, published in June 2023, SMMT supported a number of policies to respond to climate change with reference to the need for increased ambition. The group has not publicly stated support for the Paris Agreement.
Engagement with Climate-Related Regulations: SMMT has both positive and negative engagement with climate regulations in the UK. In a September 2023 UK consultation response, the group advocated for a flat CO2 emission standard with no increases in ambition during the enforcement period of the UK's zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate from 2024 onwards. More positively, in a May 2023 UK consultation response found via FOI request, SMMT advocated in support of 100% grid decarbonization in the UK by 2030, as well as a binding 90% renewables target.
Positioning on Energy Transition: SMMT appears to take both positive and negative positions on the energy transition. While it supports fiscal incentives promoting electric vehicles, such as charging infrastructure expansion and purchase incentives, the group’s engagement on the UK’s ICE phase-out date and ZEV mandate appears more negative.
Regarding the UK’s ZEV mandate In a May 2023 UK consultation response found via FOI request, SMMT emphasized concerns with the ZEV mandate car trajectory, advocated for a weaker trajectory for vans and pushed to effectively delay the ZEV mandate by advocating for 2024 (the proposed start year) to be a monitoring year only. In a September 2023 UK consultation response, SMMT took no position on the UK's delay to its initial ICE phase-out target from 2030 to 2035, while taking an unclear position on a UK ZEV mandate. According to a July 2023 Politico article, SMMT appeared unsupportive of a stringent UK ZEV mandate, criticizing high fines for non-compliance. Earlier, in a June 2022 report, SMMT advocated for a delay to the UK ZEV mandate, and in a February 2022 press release, called for binding targets for EV charging infrastructure rollout as a condition of the ZEV mandate.
SMMT appears to have publicly expressed support for other policies promoting the uptake of electric vehicles. The group’s CEO also unsupportive of the UK government's decision to delay the UK’s initial ICE phase-out by 5 years from 2030 to 2035 in a September 2023 press release. In its Manifesto 2030 report, published in June 2023, SMMT outlined a number of policy recommendations for the future UK government to accelerate a ZEV transition, including binding targets for a charging network. Additionally, in a September 2023 UK consultation response, SMMT appeared to support policies designed to ensure a 100% decarbonized UK energy grid by 2035.