Lister puts plans on hold amid uncertainty over ZEV Mandate

Britain’s oldest racing car manufacturer Lister Motor Company is putting future plans on hold due to ongoing uncertainty over the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.

In a statement Lister said the decision comes after the UK Government proposed bringing forward its mandate that all new cars sold in the UK must be zero-emission by 2030 - a move that would significantly impact it as a small, low-volume manufacturer.

Founded over 71 years ago, Lister has produced both race and road-going versions of the iconic Knobbly and Costin continuation cars, sourcing all materials from within the UK.

Lister said it fears that a lack of clarification over whether small manufacturer exemptions will continue to apply could impact its operations.

In the past, small volume manufacturers like Lister, Morgan, Caterham, and Ginetta have been exempt from stringent emissions regulations, as they produce fewer than 1,000 cars per year under the IVA or SVA Type Approval.

"The uncertainty surrounding the future rules for IVA and SVA Type Approval has forced us to put our plans on hold," said Lawrence White, managing director of Lister Motor Company.

"We had ambitious plans to launch a brand new car for the road - our first new model in over 32 years. This multi-million-pound investment would not only secure Lister’s future, but also create jobs and support suppliers across the UK. However, we simply cannot take the risk without knowing the future of the regulator landscape."

"Financially, Lister is in a strong position with no external debt," White said. "But unlike larger manufacturers, we simply cannot afford to gamble on the future of our business. Without clarity on the ZEV mandate and its impact on small manufacturers, we are in a state of stalemate."

In its statement shared on social media, White called on the UK Government to provide clarity: "As a profitable, tax-paying UK car manufacturer, we urgently request an update to the legislation so we can properly plan for the next five years. All manufacturing requires time to adapt - cars more than most - and we are in desperate need of clarity before we can move forward."