Polestar UK has formally called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to extend the £500 grant for households installing electric vehicle (EV) chargers beyond the current March 2027 deadline. The plea comes as part of a broader package of measures the company believes are essential to accelerate the UK's transition to electric mobility.
Matt Galvin, Managing Director of Polestar UK, has written to the new Prime Minister urging him to maintain the 2030 Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate targets without dilution. He also advocates for enhanced support mechanisms, including grants for used electric vehicles and a postponement of the planned electric vehicle excise duty (eVED).
Leadership from Manchester to Westminster
Galvin highlighted Burnham's track record as Mayor of Greater Manchester, where he championed ambitious air quality improvements and a zero-emission transport vision. "As Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham championed decisive action to improve air quality, driving the ambition for a zero-emission transport network to deliver cleaner air, quieter streets and healthier communities for Mancunians," Galvin noted. "As Prime Minister, he now can bring that same leadership to the national stage."
The call comes at a critical juncture for the UK's EV market, which Galvin describes as being at a "tipping point". He stressed the need for immediate government intervention to stimulate demand, particularly in the second-hand sector, where most consumers make their purchasing decisions.
Boosting the used EV market
Galvin emphasised the importance of the pre-owned market as a growth engine. "With second-hand EV sales growing, the new government must accelerate this by stimulating the pre-owned market through grants and a scrappage scheme for the most polluting vehicles. This is where most people buy their cars and it will be the engine of future growth," he said.
He proposed a comprehensive set of measures: extending the five chargepoint grants for households without off-street parking beyond March 2027, abolishing VAT on public EV charging, maintaining the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales, delaying electric vehicle tax until EVs become the majority on UK roads, and reducing VAT on public charging.
Addressing the driveway penalty
The current system, Galvin argues, unfairly penalises drivers without driveways. "The new administration must now extend the five chargepoint grants for households without off-street parking beyond the March 2027 deadline and abolish VAT on public EV charging, which continues to unfairly penalise drivers without a driveway," he explained.
He continued: "The government must also maintain the 2030 deadline for ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, delay electric vehicle tax until EVs represent the majority of cars on our roads and reduce VAT on public charging."
Economic and energy security benefits
Galvin outlined the broader economic and strategic benefits of these measures. "Together, these measures will lower motoring costs, strengthen energy security, and create thousands of skilled jobs," he stated. He also referenced recent international volatility as a driver for action: "Recent international volatility has underlined the need to seize every opportunity to take greater control of our economy and reduce our dependence on global energy markets. It is an opportunity we must seize with both hands."
Polestar's intervention adds to growing industry pressure on the new government to provide clearer, more supportive policies for EV adoption. The company's focus on used EVs and charging infrastructure reflects a recognition that mass adoption requires addressing practical barriers faced by ordinary drivers.
