Beijing warns Labour over EV grants
A spokesman for the Chinese embassy called on the UK to follow World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and create a 'non-discriminatory environment for investment'.
WTO rules stipulate that members must not give favourable treatment to one country over another when it comes to trading goods and services.
Department for Transport (DfT) officials intend to reject Chinese applications for the £650m Electric Car Grant (ECG) scheme, which will reduce the purchase price of a new electric vehicle (EV) by as much as £3,750 for vehicles costing up to £37,000.
The scheme will reject applications from nations with poor sustainability records or high carbon emissions. China's electric car manufacturing and battery production industries are reliant on fossil fuels, barring them from the discounts.
Lilian Greenwood, the transport minister, told the BBC's Today programme on Wednesday: 'We don't expect any cars that are assembled in China to be eligible for this scheme.
'The grant is restricted to those manufacturers that reach minimum environmental standards. And, frankly, if you generate a lot of the electricity that powers your factory through coal power stations, then you are not going to be able to access this grant.'
However, the restrictions have prompted a backlash from Chinese officials at a time when manufacturers are battling intense competition in the country while trying to gain a foothold in the West.
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21 minutes ago
- Times
China ‘expels' US destroyer after South China Sea stand-off
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ITV News
23 minutes ago
- ITV News
Manchester-based landmine charity wins global humanitarian prize
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The Independent
23 minutes ago
- The Independent
FTSE 100 pushes higher as US rate cut bets build
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