Tomlinson was one of 28 Tory MPs who previously voted against the EV legislation, alongside Craig Mackinlay — who leads a backbench caucus of MPs protesting against green policies — and former Energy Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg.
The zero emissions vehicle mandate — which came into force in January this year — places a duty on car makers to hit EV production targets. Manufacturers will be whacked with a levy unless at least 22 percent of cars rolling out of their factories are electric this year, rising to 80 percent by 2030.
The mandate was passed by a large majority of MPs thanks to support from the Labour Party.
Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch has also raised concerns that manufacturers are not yet ready to hit these targets. But the mandate is seen as key to bringing down carbon emissions from road transport and encouraging investment in EV charge points.
Tomlinson’s appointment comes as Sunak and Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho place net zero at the heart of their pitch to voters, pledging not to saddle homes with additional costs and carving out key dividing lines with the opposition Labour Party on green spending.
Tomlinson and the Department for Energy Secretary and Net Zero both declined to comment.