Latest news with #Lilian Greenwood
Yahoo
09-08-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Labour U-turns over big change to UK roads in 'disappointing' blow
The government has U-turned on road safety plans despite drivers being in favour of urgent support. Labour Party Future for Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said the Government has no plans to launch guidance for noise cameras, she said. Ms Greenwood confirmed they have "no current plans" to offer guidance on noise cameras, with the decision lying with local authorities. In the Commons, she said: "The Department for Transport does not currently have plans to produce further guidance on noise cameras, but is keeping up to date with any advancements in this technology. READ MORE: UK drivers may need to retake test even if they've passed READ MORE: Woman banned from roads for driving at 46 mph on M4 motorway READ MORE State pensioners 'caught off guard' after becoming 'casualty' of HMRC "It is ultimately for local authorities and the police to consider what the most appropriate enforcement routes may be for addressing issues with excessive vehicle noise within their area. The use of noise camera technology has already been taken forward by some local authorities." Max Sugarman, Intelligent Transport System UK chief executive, called the announcement "disappointing". Mr Sugarman went on and added: "Noise is proven to adversely affect public health, and tackling it - through technology like noise cameras - has been shown to be popular. "Guidance for the sector can ensure local authorities can continue to roll out this technology, supporting a quieter road network for the public." The Department for Transport (DfT) has been trialling noise camera technology to understand if it can be used to automatically detect when vehicles are excessively noisy. Roadside trials took place from 18 October 2022 until 1 February 2023 and were located in Keighley, Bristol, Great Yarmouth and Rubery, Birmingham. The new technology uses a video camera in conjunction with microphones to accurately pinpoint excessively noisy vehicles as they pass by. The camera takes a picture of a vehicle and records the noise level to create a digital package of evidence that could be used to fine offending drivers. The trials had funding of £300,000 and the objective was to provide local authorities and police with effective enforcement tools capable of capturing sufficient evidence to support successful prosecution of offenders.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Beijing warns Labour over EV grants
Beijing has warned Labour that it will 'resolutely safeguard' its electric car industry after it emerged that the Government will block Chinese electric cars from a new grant scheme. 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. An embassy spokesman said: 'China has abolished all market access restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing and remains open to international carmakers, including those from the UK, who can fully share in the dividends of China's big market. 'We hope the UK's industry policy will observe WTO rules, respect market economy laws and provide an open, fair, just and non-discriminatory environment for the investment and operation of businesses from all countries, including China. 'The Chinese side is closely following the situation and will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.' Carmakers including BYD and MG, which assemble their vehicles in China, are expected to blocked from the scheme. BYD, which recently overtook Tesla as the world's largest EV manufacturer, said it still planned to push for inclusion in the scheme for vehicles such as the Dolphin Surf, which is on sale in the UK for less than £20,000. The company is also preparing to scale up car production at a new factory in Hungary to build cars for the European market. Bono Ge, BYD's UK country manager, said: 'We welcome the new electric car grant and its potential to help drive awareness and uptake of electric cars in a key, price-sensitive part of the new car market. 'Like other car brands, we have informed the DfT of our intention to make an application for inclusion in the ECG scheme and look forward to being part of it.' BYD sales have climbed rapidly in the UK since it started selling its cars last year. It has sold about 20,000 vehicles so far this year compared with 8,700 across the whole of 2024. UK officials hope the grants will encourage drivers to switch to electric cars ahead of a pledge by Labour to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030. Under the Government's zero emission vehicles mandate, 28pc of cars sold this year must be pure electric. Carmakers that miss the target risk being punished with fines. The European Union has been engaged in a trade dispute with China over its EV imports as cut-price Chinese car brands flood the bloc and threaten the traditional dominance of French and German carmakers. Chinese electric carmakers have been locked in a vicious price war in their home market, with concerns that it has become saturated while demand for EVs remains tepid. On Wednesday, China's cabinet warned of 'irrational' competition in the country's car market and vowed to scrutinise prices. A DfT spokesman said: 'Our electric car grant will give drivers across the UK access to discounts on dozens of new electric car models, helping them save up to £3,750 per car and putting money back into the pockets of working people.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Telegraph
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Beijing warns Labour over EV grants
Beijing has warned Labour that it will 'resolutely safeguard' its electric car industry after it emerged that the Government will block Chinese electric cars from a new grant scheme. 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.
