Jaguar Land Rover says ‘required safety levels cannot be achieved’ for EVs so PM must to stick to petrol version
Would-be car buyers considering ditching petrol for electric tend to fret – not always correctly – about higher upfront costs, access to chargers and whether their battery will last on long journeys.
But Keir Starmer has an unusual obstacle to making the switch – Britain’s largest carmaker has claimed electric vehicles (EVs) do not offer adequate bomb protection.
The prime minister’s armoured Range Rover Sentinels will need to remain as petrol versions for the foreseeable future, according to their manufacturer, Jaguar Land Rover.
JLR addressed the issue in written responses to a government consultation on EV sales rules. The documents – obtained by Fast Charge, a newsletter covering electric cars, and shared with the Guardian – detailed how JLR and other carmakers lobbied the UK government to weaken targets requiring them to sell more EVs each year.
