The group, which also owns Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat and Chrysler, The verdict on the future of UK manufacturing before the end of the year.

A source close to Stellantis said the £15,000 penalty imposed under the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate and the lack of EV purchase subsidies for private buyers will be key factors in deciding Vauxhall’s future.

While Stellantis expects to reach about 20 percent EV sales this year, CEO Carlos Tavares said that was twice the “natural” size of demand. The source said that even reaching the current level “costs a lot” given the inequality.

A spokesman for Stellantis said: “We have said we are reviewing our UK operations and this is ongoing.”

The company said it acknowledged the broad goals of ZEV’s mandate but “did not accept the proposed glide path to get to this point.” Stellantis’ UK managing director Eurig Druce will attend the meeting.

Japanese giant Nissan is also expected to lobby Ms Haigh and Mr Reynolds to soften the Government’s EV policy. His Car factory in SunderlandTyne and Wear is the largest company in the UK, employing 6,000 people and supporting 30,000 jobs in its supply chain.

The firm is expected to tell them that the UK car industry is fast approaching the point where jobs and competitiveness will be at risk unless the rules are changed.

The warnings come amid speculation that the Government may be ready to change EV quotas to ease pressure on the sector; but any changes would require parliamentary approval.

Other options include reintroducing EV subsidies that continue to encourage sales of fleet vehicles.

The government said it continues to communicate with the automotive industry regarding the ZEV mandate and will announce further details in due course.