Britain to launch consultation on electric vehicle transition

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will launch a consultation on changing its zero-emission vehicle mandate but will stick to a 2030 deadline for phasing out new petrol and diesel car sales, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson said on Tuesday.

"We will bring forward a consultation on our proposals in this space in due course, on how we implement the 2030 transition deadline and ensure that voices and insights from the industry are heard at every step of the way," Starmer's spokesperson said.

Asked if the deadline was being moved back, the spokesperson said: "No, the government is committed to the 2030 phase out date, which will provide certainty for the industry, but we do recognise the challenge that the industry faces."

(Reporting by Andrew MacAskill and Alistair Smout; Editing by Sachin Ravikumar)