𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

The Department for Transport is splashing out on the Get That Electric Feeling campaign to “boost uptake” of electric vehicles ahead of the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars. But Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden savaged the move, saying: “If EVs truly sold themselves, Labour would not need a £4.5million advertising campaign to push them.”

The Tory MP demanded a breakdown of spending after quizzing ministers in Parliament, but was told costs could not be revealed because “the campaign is currently live”. Mr Holden said: “Labour are spending millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money trying to convince drivers to buy electric cars while forcing the market through mandates.”

He added: “The Conservatives are clear that the future should be drivetrain neutral. We will end top-down mandates and let innovation, competition and consumer choice decide what people drive.”

The campaign budget for 2025-26 stands at £4.56million, excluding contractors, meaning the true cost to the taxpayer could be even higher.

Labour MP Keir Mather, responding to Mr Holden’s question, said the campaign was launched “under the Make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower mission” to highlight “the benefits of driving an electric car, including lower charging and maintenance costs”.

He added: “Budgets for future phases have not yet been confirmed.”

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A Department for Transport spokesperson defended the spending, insisting: “By encouraging EV uptake, we’re helping motorists cut costs, with grants of up to £3,750 off a new electric car and savings of around £1,400 a year on running costs.”

They added: “Many EV drivers pay as little as 2p per mile, and this campaign helps people make informed choices about switching and putting money back in their pockets.”

The Government claims the campaign is the latest in a series of moves intended to boost demand for EVs and encourage uptake.

The department said it has already provided large amounts of support through the Electric Car Grant, which has helped over 70,000 drivers purchase an EV.

But the refusal to provide a breakdown of costs has sparked fury, with critics demanding transparency over how the £4.5million is being spent. The row comes as drivers face mounting pressure to switch to electric vehicles despite concerns over charging infrastructure, higher upfront costs and limited range.