CAR INDUSTRY’S LOVE AFFAIR WITH DIESEL: A CHOICE FOR EVERY UK FAMILY IN A TIME OF CRISIS! K1

UKâs future direction debated at Fabian Society New Year Conference in London

Ed Miliband has pushed the UK’s ZEV Mandate scheme, but now   car brands are pushing back (Image: Getty)

One of the UK’s biggest car brands has confirmed plans to return to  diesel   vehicles in a massive blow to Ed Miliband’s  EV dream. Stellantis, the parent company of British marque Vauxhall, explained they would resume the sale of diesel cars in Britain, with plans to even “increase” their offering after previously committing to electric cars.

Under the plans, Stellantis will bring previously discontinued diesel models back into production in Europe. Meanwhile, they are set to sell existing diesel models for much longer as part of a new drive to focus purely on generating profits.

Citroen Berlingo

Stellantis could be bringing previously axed diesel models back to the roads (Image: Getty)

The major car brand has also cancelled the launch of new EVs after having to stomach a staggering £22million writedown. This is effectively a reduction in the assets on a company’s balance sheet to match its current, lower market volume, reflecting a loss in value for items such as inventory. The news saw Stellantis’ share price plummet in a major blow, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Stellantis explained: “We have decided to keep diesel engines in our product portfolio and – in some cases – to increase our powertrain offer. At Stellantis, we want to generate growth, that’s why we are focused on customer demand.”
Antonio Filosa, the chief executive of Stellantis blamed “poor execution” behind their move to electric models. He also accepted the brand was guilty of “overestimating the pace of the energy transition that distanced us from many car buyers’ real-world needs, means and desires”.
Stellantis is said to have reintroduced diesel models of some of its most popular models, such as the Peugeot 308, Opel Astra, Citroen Berlingo and the DS 4 across Europe. The news comes in direct contrast to Labour’s position, with the Government pressing ahead with Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate targets and its 2030 petrol and diesel car ban.

View of cars on production line in factory

ZEV Mandate rules require brands to slowly reduce the number of petrol and diesel cars being built (Image: Getty)

Although this only affects cars built in the UK, Stellantis operates several manufacturing plants in Britain including their Ellesmere Port and Luton plants. These bases build vehicles from top Stellantis brands including Vauxhall, Peugeot and Citroen.

The ZEV Mandate forces firms to build an increasing number of electric cars every year, until the sale of almost all brand new fully combustion petrol and diesel models are completely banned.

After 2030, only hybrid vehicles and petrol and diesel models produced by low-volume manufacturers can be sold until 2035.

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