27 November 2025

The Chancellor’s budget statement was full of mixed messages and missed opportunities to create growth in the green economy and low carbon sector according to leading certification body and trade association NAPIT.

While there was positive news for motorists who drive petrol or diesel vehicles with fuel duty frozen until next September, those considering switching to electric vehicles will have to pay 3 pence per mile from 2028 which could stifle future demand.

An additional £1.3m funding has been made available for the electric car grant which has been extended to 2030 and an extra £200m to accelerate the electric vehicle chargepoint roll out.

Average household energy bills will fall by an estimated £150 a year paid for by cutting the ECO scheme and removing other costs from bills.

Stephen Melton, Director of Commercial and Compliance at NAPIT said: “The decision to start charging drivers of electric and hybrid vehicles while freezing fuel duty for petrol and diesel vehicles seems to be sending mixed messages at a time when we should be encouraging motorists to make the switch towards electric vehicles (EVs).

“It is good news that the electric car grant has been extended but this is only for new cars so won’t impact the second-hand market.

“While any moves to cut household energy bills are welcome, the Government has also missed an opportunity to remove the link between electricity and gas prices which would have made technology such as heat pumps and EVs more affordable to run and even more attractive. 

“There are over 20,000 NAPIT members who are electricians and installers of heat pumps, solar PV and EV chargers. 

“We have been calling for consistency and certainty for our members and promoting growth opportunities available to them in the transition to Net Zero but it looks like that transition may have stalled.

“We are still waiting for details of the Government’s Warm Homes Plan and Future Homes Standards which are expected before the end of the year. 

“Hopefully those details will come soon and will offer some positive news for our members who are on the forefront of the Government’s missions to build 1.5 million new homes and continue the switch away from fossil fuels.”