Discounts, more launches of small cars and unlikely alliances are all viable tactics for those car makers least strong on EVs as they look to comply with the government order that states almost one in every four cars they sell next year must be electric. Car makers have to boost demand from the average 16% EV share in the UK to the end of September to 22% next year or face fines of £15,000 for every car they are shy of the target.
This could lead to the creation of ‘joint-venture alliances’ between established companies and EV newcomers – for example, China manufacturers perhaps in exchange for access to retail outlets, Peberdy predicted. Car makers can also earn an extra half credit per electric car by selling EVs to car-share schemes such as Zipcar, or even earn credits selling EVs to companies converting them for use by disabled people. But loopholes can only cover so much shortfall.