THE GOVERNMENT on Sunday announced measures to support carmakers in their shift to electric vehicles, as the auto industry faces pressure from new international trade rules.

Washington recently introduced new tariffs, including a 25 per cent levy on vehicles imported into the United States, impacting global carmakers.

UK manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover said on Saturday that it would pause shipments to the US in April while it reviews the new trading conditions.

Prime minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday that he was ready to step in to support affected industries, and later announced a plan to help the UK auto sector.

As part of the plan, the government confirmed that all petrol and diesel car sales will end by 2030, with hybrid vehicles allowed until 2035. Small manufacturers will be exempt from the targets.

The government said it would ease rules on how manufacturers can meet the 2030 target.

Under the new guidelines, carmakers can fall short of annual electric vehicle production targets until 2026, as long as the shortfall is recovered by 2030.