Tesla Pushes for Stricter Green Policies
Elon Musk’s Tesla lobbied the UK government to increase charges on petrol car buyers. This effort followed Labour’s election victory. Tesla’s actions aimed to support the government’s green goals while boosting its own profits.
Despite Musk’s public criticism of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Tesla promoted stronger environmental regulations. The company proposed expanding the electric vehicle (EV) mandate to include lorries. It also suggested using higher charges on petrol and diesel car buyers to fund EV subsidies.
Tesla’s European chief, Joe Ward, sent this proposal in a letter to Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood. The July letter argued that buyers of new polluting vehicles “should pay more.”
The letter, released under a Freedom of Information request by EV newsletter The Fast Charge, revealed Tesla’s support for Labour’s decarbonisation goals. This support contrasted with Musk’s online criticism of the government during summer riots.
Debate Over the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate
The UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate requires carmakers to meet EV sales targets. If they miss targets, they must buy credits from EV producers who exceed quotas. UK carmakers have argued for a more relaxed policy, citing low customer demand for EVs.
Tesla’s position was the opposite. The company urged the government to “protect and strengthen” the ZEV mandate. Tesla stands to gain from the policy by selling surplus credits from its imported EVs made in China.
Tesla also lobbied for the UK to lead in autonomous vehicle development. The company offered to showcase its autonomous driving technology to the government.
The BBC reported that Musk’s controversial political remarks contributed to his exclusion from a government investment summit. Despite this, Musk’s influence grew in the US, where he became a key figure for incoming President Donald Trump. Musk’s wealth surged as Tesla’s stock value increased after the US election.