Comment: BMW announces assembly of zero-emission battery electric Minis at Cowley factory in Oxford

“The two key factors currently dictating where electric vehicle investments head globally are government financial incentives and a stable and attractive policy environment.

“Financial incentives and a commitment to a Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate policy have helped the UK Government win the race to secure electric mini production in Oxford. Having stuck to its guns on the mandate, the car industry now urgently wants the detail from Government. This would entrench the UK’s reputation as a stable and attractive place in which to invest in EV manufacturing. This shouldn’t be a hard task given that UK EV sales figures are already surging.

“Following the JLR battery factory commitment earlier in the year, this is good news for the future of the car industry. But more will be needed if the UK isn’t going to see its car industry return to rust again. 80% of the cars built in the UK are exported. Over 70% of these go to markets – the UK, 16 US states and China - that have committed to moving to electric vehicles. If the UK’s car industry doesn’t change to produce the EVs needed to meet that demand, it could find itself losing over £13bn a year in export revenue by 2030.” [2]