Exclusive reporting by Mathew Carr

Nov. 26, 2024 — Tory-focussed newspapers have pivoted away from their previously held news stance that was firmly against the rapid expansion of electric vehicles in the United Kingdom, according to a person familiar with their news judgements.

Before the UK general election result in the middle of this year, certain news outlets would systematically publish stories that would limit uptake of cleaner EVs, the person said, declining to name the outlets, but citing direct communications with them.

The transport industry is an industry with “sticky” emissions, as changing the transport infrastructure is difficult and involves negotiations among a wide ecosystem of stakeholders. But … a transition can still be successful. Norway for instance now sells electric cars almost exclusively — and that’s a cold country, where batteries can be less efficient in freezing conditions. Ofgem, the UK energy regulator, today called for a communications campaign to support customer engagement with EVs.

It’s not completely clear why the news outlets held their stances through the middle of this year, the person said. It might have been to appeal to right-wing readers/viewers, help the Conservatives stay in government and/or maintain good relations with petrol-company advertisers.

Now, given the Labour party will probably be in office until about 2028 or 2029, there is no point in resisting the trend away from fossil-fuel cars through 2030, the person said.

So they’ve “reluctantly” changed their tune to be more supportive of the climate transition, they said.

Hopefully editors /proprietors at these outlets are also tracking this chart: