SIR Keir Starmer is poised to water down electric vehicle sales targets in a bitter blow to Ed Miliband’s net zero mission.

The Prime Minister, facing pressure from industry and unions, will now slow the switch to electric motors.

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Keir Starmer is poised to water down electric vehicle sales targets in a bitter blow to Ed Miliband’s net zero mission Credit: AFP

The PM, facing pressure from industry and unions, will now slow the switch to electric motors Credit: Getty

A requirement mandating 80 per cent of new vehicle sales must be all-electric by the end of the decade will be reduced to 50 per cent, The Jattvibeday Times reported.

Bosses at motoring firms had insisted that maintaining the target would mean taking their investments elsewhere.

The backing of the devolved administrations will be needed and the policy will be subject to a consultation.

Mr Miliband, the Energy Secretary, has previously said it’s “very important” that the government bolster its resolve for the UK’s electric vehicle transition.

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But Unite union boss Sharon Graham said: “This is a huge victory. UK car workers have been increasingly fearful for their jobs.

“The government at the highest level has listened to the concerns of Unite and is now set to act decisively to protect the jobs of UK automotive workers.

“As Unite had said the failure to act would have been an act of self-harm to a sector which is a jewel in the crown of UK manufacturing.

“The consultation must be swiftly concluded and its findings quickly implemented to provide the sector and workers with much needed certainty.”

The zero emission vehicle mandate first came in under Boris Johnson in 2020 and came into force in 2024.

It was set to rise to 80 per cent by 2030 when sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles were due to be banned.