Smart transport solutions have seen rapid development in China in recent years, presenting significant opportunities for UK businesses to collaborate and benefit from advancements in the sector. Such partnerships offer not only environmental benefits, but also financial gains for companies, employees, and the broader economy
This was the focus of a panel discussion at the UK-China Business Forum 2025, featuring insights from Herbert Lonsdale, International Automotive Consultant and former Global Skills Ambassador for the Institute of the Motor Industry; Simon Bisp, Head of Customer Services for BYD; David Wong, Head of Innovation and Technology at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT); and Professor Xu Hongming, Chair of Energy and Automotive Engineering at the University of Birmingham. The panel explored how the UK and China can work together to accelerate the adoption of smart transport technologies, particularly electric vehicles (EVs), and address the challenges of transitioning to a greener future.
Herbert Lonsdale opened the discussion by highlighting the challenges facing the UK automotive industry. “We’re in the midst of a perfect storm,” he said. “The industry is undergoing an enormous transition, and while EV sales are growing by 20% annually, this growth is largely driven by the fleet market. The retail market remains depressed.” Lonsdale emphasised the need for a clear government strategy to encourage EV adoption. “Instead of focusing on fines for non-compliance, we should be telling people why driving an EV is a good idea,” he said. He pointed to China’s extensive charging infrastructure, with 6.5 million chargers nationwide, as a model for the UK to follow. “We’re lagging behind in terms of charging infrastructure, and there’s also a scarcity of skilled workers. We need to provide vocational training to address the shortage of 43,000 advanced technology students by 2030,” he added. Lonsdale called for bolder initiatives, such as the training programs piloted in Shandong, China, to be replicated in the UK. “The government needs to create a skilled workforce to attract investment and build large-scale manufacturing capabilities,” he said.
Simon Bisp of BYD echoed Lonsdale’s call for a customer-centric approach to EV adoption. “Incentives are important, but it’s equally crucial to communicate the benefits of EVs to consumers,” he said. Bisp highlighted BYD’s strategy of developing multiple solutions to stay ahead of the curve. “Traditional manufacturers often find that their new products are outdated by the time they hit the market. At BYD, we’re already working on future solutions so we’re ready when the time comes,” he explained. Bisp also emphasised the importance of affordability, noting that BYD’s plug-in hybrid models have been particularly successful in bridging the gap for consumers hesitant to fully transition to EVs.
David Wong of SMMT provided a detailed analysis of the UK’s EV market, noting that while battery electric vehicles accounted for 19.6% of new registrations in 2024, this fell just short of the 22% target. “For vans, the figure was even lower at 5.2%, well below the 10% target,” he said. Wong attributed part of this shortfall to the lack of incentives for retail consumers. “Current incentives are primarily aimed at company cars, benefit-in-kind schemes, and salary sacrifice programs. From April 2025, EV owners will also be subject to excise duty, which could further dampen demand,” he explained. Wong called for the removal of the Expensive Car Supplement (ECS) for EVs, which applies to vehicles costing over £40,000. “More than 40% of EVs fall into this category, and they are already 24% more expensive than their petrol equivalents. Removing the ECS would make EVs more accessible to the masses,” he said.
Wong also highlighted lessons the UK can learn from China, particularly in terms of product development and decision-making speed. “Chinese manufacturers have a product development cycle of about two years, compared to four to seven years in the UK and Europe. We need to move from a linear to an intuitive process to keep up,” he said. Wong pointed to the lengthy permitting processes in the UK as a major bottleneck. “It takes longer to permit a wind farm in the UK than to build it. We need to reduce the time it takes to connect new assets to the grid from 14-15 years to a maximum of seven,” he argued. He also cited delays in activating charging infrastructure as a barrier to growth. “I’ve seen chargers installed at a local Waitrose but left unused for six months. This is unacceptable,” he said.
Professor Xu Hongming brought an academic perspective to the discussion, emphasising the UK’s strengths in research and education. “The UK has been a leader in technology and research for over a century. Our education system remains world-class, and we’re in a strong position to drive innovation,” he said. However, Xu cautioned against over-reliance on battery technology alone. “We should be exploring multiple energy choices, including hydrogen fuel cells for heavy-duty vehicles. Solid-state batteries hold promise but are not yet ready for production,” he explained. Xu also highlighted the importance of international collaboration, noting that a quarter of undergraduate and 95% of postgraduate students in his department are from China. “These students are eager to work within the UK’s boundaries and contribute to our decarbonisation efforts,” he said.
The panel concluded with a consensus on the need for stronger collaboration between the UK and China to overcome the challenges of the green transition. Herbert Lonsdale summarised the discussion by calling for a coordinated approach to skills development, infrastructure investment, and consumer engagement. “The UK and China have complementary strengths. By working together, we can accelerate the adoption of smart transport solutions and achieve our climate goals,” he said. As the world moves towards a more sustainable future, the insights from this panel underscored the critical role of international partnerships in driving innovation and progress.
