Ministers are reviewing the zero emission vehicle mandate and may reduce the target for electric car sales by 2030. While vehicle manufacturers have pushed for a lower goal of 50 percent of new sales by the end of the decade, government officials are reportedly considering setting the benchmark at 60 percent instead. Under current rules, carmakers must reach an 80 percent pure electric share by 2030, with the remainder made up of plug in hybrids.
The planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel only cars by 2030 remains untouched, along with the full zero emission target for 2035. Reports indicate debate between departments, with business officials seeking lower targets while energy and net zero leaders want stronger goals to maintain national climate commitments. It remains unclear how any change will affect annual interim targets or whether rules for electric vans, which currently trail their 24 percent goal for this year, will also be adjusted.
The EV Café Panel Take:
John Curtis: Highlighted red flags around government communication. Lowering targets creates an unnecessary distraction while failing to clarify how revised numbers would affect light commercial vehicles, which are already struggling to meet current uptake milestones.
Paul Kirby: Expressed frustration that policy consistently leads with cars where transition numbers are healthy, while ignoring commercial vans where adoption sits around only ten or eleven percent. Paul branded a 50 percent car target as lacking ambition given that the market is already approaching thirty percent. He noted that Whitehall frequently leaks figures between 50 and 60 percent as trial balloons to gauge public and industry reaction.
Sam Clarke: Emphasised that big automotive manufacturers are lobbying for weaker targets simply to protect quarterly combustion profits. Sam argued that constant political horse trading between 50, 60, or 80 percent creates chronic uncertainty that frightens off private investment. He insisted government must pick a number, commit to it, and allow market momentum and global fuel prices to drive adoption anyway.
Sara Sloman: Acknowledged the delicate political tightrope ministers walk to protect UK factory jobs and automotive supply chains, but urged government to stop vacillating. Sara stressed that commercial fleets cannot invest on a maybe, adding that businesses will ultimately continue electrifying because the commercial math works, regardless of regulatory backpedalling.