Addressing 2022’s 50% energy bill increase is carmakers’ ‘number one ask’

Urgent action to address a 50% rise in energy bills is UK car manufacturers’ “number one ask” as the sector seeks help from Government, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has said.

According to the industry body the UK’s automotive manufacturing sector already spends £50m more for energy each year than its EU counterparts due to the highest electricity costs in Europe, warning that businesses will struggle to cope with an estimated £90m price hike in 2022.

Addressing the annual SMMT Summit in London yesterday (June 27), SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes called for five ‘asks’ to help manage the issue as he set out ‘From Full Throttle to Full Charge’, a new strategic roadmap setting out measures on energy, skills and funding to drive large-scale investment and support competitiveness.