EU's 2035 ban exemption gives small UK sports car makers lifeline

Briggs said: “I think the [UK] government has been extremely pragmatic in its approach. They've listened.”

Not only is the EU exemption an important lifeline for the UK’s low-volume manufacturers – many of which don't have supply of electric motors from large manufacturers or the budget to produce their own – but also an opportunity, according to Briggs.

“I think there’s a huge opportunity that businesses like BAC will potentially take volume away from some of the big boys. If an electric solution for a Lamborghini, Porsche or Ferrari, for example, is perhaps not your bag and you prefer an internal-combustion-engine solution, then perhaps companies like Gordon Murray [Automotive] and BAC are going to be the places for people to go to.”

Amy Tomlinson, managing director of Ginetta, said: “Although Ginetta’s current focus within the EU is primarily on track-only racing cars, we know that a healthy appetite for low-volume British sports cars already exists in Europe and wouldn't be surprised to see it grow following this announcement.

"With these regulations setting a limit of 1000 cars per manufacturer, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the number of companies within the sector growing in years to come.”

Although petrol engines will remain the powerplants of choice for many low-volume manufacturers for the foreseeable future, many firms are continuing their investment in alternatives.

“It's my belief that there's no one golden-ticket solution,” said Briggs. “I think it's the right solution for the right job, which is the most efficient solution.”

He followed that BAC’s relationship with Ford – having used its engines for all its previous Mono models and now preparing to use a turbocharged Ecoboost unit for its next-generation car – could put it “ahead of the curve” with electrification.

Ariel duo Saunders and Siebert-Saunders warned: "If the big [OEMs] are not making internal combustion engines by 2035 there will no suitable powertrains available, particularly those at the high-performance end of the spectrum.  [Although] some low-volume engine manufacturing may take place at the supercar end of the low volume industry, it’s not a viable solution for manufacturers such as ourselves."

As such, Ariel remains "committed to doing [its] bit" to reduce emissions. All the firm's vehicles – including its motorcycles – will have zero tailpipe emissions by 2030, said Saunders and Siebert-Saunders, with the Hipercar project informing the development of zero-emission Ariel Atom and Ariel Nomad models. "Although Ariel products are fast, fun recreational vehicles, it’s important to both us and our customers that we all do what we can to act positively in reducing global emissions."