The United Kingdom's government is reviewing its electric vehicle (EV) sales targets, potentially reducing the requirement for manufacturers to sell a higher percentage of zero-emission vehicles by 2030. This move follows pressure from carmakers who have cited concerns about insufficient consumer demand and the rising costs associated with meeting current mandates.
The ZEV mandate currently requires manufacturers to ensure 80% of new car sales are zero-emission by 2030, with the percentage increasing annually from 22% in 2024 to 33% in 2026. The government is now consulting on lowering this figure to as low as 50% by the end of the decade, a change that would allow for a greater proportion of hybrid vehicles to be sold.
Environmental organizations and EV advocates have criticized the potential reduction, arguing it could undermine the UK's climate goals. The Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit calculated that a 50% target could result in 2.6 million fewer electric cars on the road by 2035. Critics suggest that weakening the mandate sends the wrong signal at a time when EVs are becoming more competitively priced and consumer interest is growing, partly due to fluctuations in petrol prices.
Despite these concerns, the government emphasizes that the ultimate goal of phasing out new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030 remains in place. However, the proposed changes could extend flexibility for manufacturers until 2034 regarding the 80% target, and a deadline for phasing out hybrid sales would still be in place for 2035.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that the review aims to ensure targets are practical and supportive of British industry. "The end goal hasn't changed – but we need to take business with us on the journey," she said, highlighting the intention to allow industry to shape the transition.
Representatives from the automotive industry have welcomed the review. Lisa Brankin, managing director of Ford of Britain, emphasized the need for certainty for both the industry and customers. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), noted that the ZEV mandate was conceived under different market conditions and that the review offers a chance to adjust the transition effectively.
Data from the SMMT indicates that electric cars have accounted for a quarter of total sales in the UK in the first seven months of the year. The Climate Change Committee, an advisory body, has identified the switch to EVs as a key method for reducing carbon emissions over the next decade.
The policy's history includes shifts in targets, with an initial 2030 ban on petrol and diesel sales later pushed to 2035 by former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who also introduced more gradual EV sales targets. The current government's consideration of altering these targets reflects ongoing debates about balancing climate objectives with industrial and consumer realities.