Gearing up for a new government: the impact of automotive policy on the next general election

A concise state of play on key aspects of UK automotive policy, from electric vehicles to road construction and the ULEZ scheme, and analysis of how these issues might feature in the 2024 general election.

Automotive policy serves as an ideal political vehicle for delivering pledges and highlighting dividing lines on a variety of key policy areas across industrial strategy, trade, net zero, levelling up, and more recently, the cost of living. The looming UK general election is expected to be no different, with the campaign likely to feature a clash between rival visions for policy in the sector. The 2023 Uxbridge by-election suggests it may also include debate about low emission zones, 20mile per hour speed limits, and 15-minute cities.

This report by Dods Political Consultants Jack Williamson and Jack Green-Morgan provides a concise state of play on key aspects of UK automotive policy and analysis of how they might feature in the elections, including:

• The transition to Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs)
• EV charging infrastructure
• Investment inroads and highways
• Low Traffic Neighborhoods(LTNs) and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)

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“While the car sector has huge economic importance to the UK, the debates on automotive policy in the looming local elections in May and general election later in the year are likely to coalesce around two themes: the cost-of-living crisis and lifestyle choice” Williamson and Green-Morgan write in the report.

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