Government's EV targets expected to be reduced this week

The UK government's electric vehicle (EV) targets are expected to be reduced this week in a move likely to be welcomed by carmakers but opposed by environmental groups.

Under the current rules, 80% of new cars sold in the UK must be electric by 2030 but industry groups have long called for "urgent relief".

New petrol or diesel cars are due to be phased out by 2030 and by 2035 all new cars must be zero emission.

But the speed of the transition to electric has been hotly debated, including within the cabinet.

The government has been consulting on reducing its 80% rule and a significant reduction is now expected.

A government source told the BBC it would approach the issue in a "pragmatic and balanced" way.

If ministers do decide on a steeper watering-down of the rules, it will arguably be interpreted by some - alongside the approval of the Jackdaw gas field in the North Sea - as the government prioritising economic considerations over environmental ones.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has recused himself from this issue due to his wife's links to an electric vehicle company.

The key meetings on the subject will instead be chaired by Cabinet Office minister Louise Haigh.

Sustainability groups say any weakening of the 2030 target will threaten the UK's long-term electrification and climate goals.

It could undermine the UK's claim to be providing leadership on climate just as ministers head to Turkey for COP31, the UN's climate summit.

Energy UK, the trade association for the energy industry, has also opposed the move.