Tesla urged the UK government to increase charges for petrol car buyers, hoping to boost electric vehicle sales and enhance profits, new documents reveal.
In a bold move to push its agenda, Tesla lobbied the UK government to impose higher costs on petrol car buyers, just after Labour’s general election victory. The electric car manufacturer, led by Elon Musk, has long been involved in global political discourse, but behind the scenes, it sought to influence British policy to benefit its business interests.
Tesla’s European chief, Joe Ward, wrote to the UK’s Roads Minister, Lilian Greenwood, in July, advocating for a policy shift that would see those buying new petrol and diesel cars pay more. The letter, uncovered through a Freedom of Information request by the EV newsletter The Fast Charge, suggests that the revenue raised could be used to fund subsidies for electric vehicles (EVs), in line with Tesla’s push for greener policies.
“The government should ask those still choosing to purchase a new polluting vehicle to pay more,” Ward argued, while also praising Labour’s commitment to decarbonisation and a net-zero future by 2030. Tesla was eager to see the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate extended beyond cars to include lorries, a proposal that would further benefit the company’s bottom line by boosting electric vehicle sales.
Tesla’s lobbying was aimed at solidifying the ZEV mandate, a policy requiring carmakers to sell a set number of electric vehicles each year. If manufacturers fail to meet their targets, they must buy credits from others who exceed their quotas. Tesla, with its large electric car production capacity, stands to gain significantly from this system, selling surplus credits from its vehicles imported from China.
While Musk has frequently made headlines for his controversial political statements, such as criticising UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and predicting a “civil war”, his company’s efforts behind closed doors to influence UK policy reveal a more strategic approach. Tesla has been pushing for a strengthened ZEV mandate, despite resistance from UK carmakers who argue that current EV sales aren’t high enough to justify stringent targets.
The letter, which was released to the public through a Freedom of Information request, came at a time when Musk’s involvement in British politics was growing more contentious. Reports surfaced that Musk was excluded from the UK government’s investment summit due to his outspoken remarks, signalling increasing tensions between the billionaire and the UK’s political establishment.
Since then, Musk’s role in the global political sphere has only expanded, particularly in the United States, where his ties with incoming President Donald Trump have placed him at the centre of a shifting political landscape. The value of Musk’s stake in Tesla has skyrocketed, further solidifying his wealth and influence.
Meanwhile, the UK government is still in the process of consulting on potential changes to the ZEV mandate. Tesla’s lobbying efforts reflect its desire to remain a dominant force in the electric car industry, even as it faces opposition from other automakers. As the UK navigates the future of its green policies, Tesla’s influence appears set to grow, thanks to its high profile and its push to make the country a leader in electric and autonomous vehicle technology.
