Professionals from the transport and energy sectors have given their reaction to the newly announced consultation on the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate.
The consultation states that “new petrol and diesel cars will be phased out by 2030 and all new cars and vans will need to be fully zero emission by 2035”, which suggests there won’t be potential in the consultation to review the ban dates.
Instead, the consultation asks for views on how the UK gets to the target at 2030, and whether the existing annual targets for manufacturers “remain appropriate and deliver the long-standing commitment to review the ZEV Mandate by 2027”.
It comes after months of speculation about such a review – which was planned for 2027 – and whether it may be bought forward by either the Starmer or now Andy Burnham-led government.
Here’s a roundup of industry reaction over the last few days:
Vicky Edmonds, Chief Executive Officer of EVA England, says:
“The Government should look honestly at why EV demand has not grown as quickly as expected. But the answer is not to lower the ambition of the ZEV mandate – which has been absolutely critical for creating a market of EVs that people want to buy. It has to be to fix the things that are stopping drivers from making the switch.
“Our members and surveys show that there is still significant untapped demand for electric vehicles, but drivers need a better deal. That means targeting incentives where they will make the biggest difference, tackling the unfair premium paid by people who rely on public charging, and making sure the charging network is reliable, simple and convenient to use. A chargepoint that does not work when a driver needs it might as well not be there.
Robin Heap, CEO of charge point operator Zest, said:
“The ZEV Mandate has provided the automotive industry with something it desperately needs: a clear direction of travel. While there is still work to do to make the transition to electric vehicles as seamless and affordable as possible, changing the rules now risks undermining confidence at precisely the moment the market is gathering momentum.
“EV adoption is no longer a distant ambition, it is becoming a mainstream consumer choice, with manufacturers, retailers, infrastructure providers and consumers all adapting to a rapidly changing market. The priority now should be removing the barriers that remain, supporting demand and giving businesses the certainty they need to continue investing.
“Government should be using this consultation to strengthen the conditions for the transition, not introduce another layer of uncertainty. The UK has an opportunity to build a genuinely competitive electric vehicle market and supply chain and that requires consistency, collaboration and confidence from policymakers.”
“The mandate was always only one part of the transition. If the Government gets the wider support package right, it can give consumers more confidence, stimulate demand and make the existing targets much easier for manufacturers to meet. This consultation is a real opportunity to address those barriers rather than dilute the destination.”
Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of NFDA, said:
“The review of the ZEV Mandate is a timely opportunity to consider how the transition can work effectively for the whole automotive sector. The industry has made significant progress in increasing the availability and choice of electric vehicles, but the market must remain commercially sustainable.
“The results from the consultation need to ensure consumers have the choice and affordability needed to make the transition. Franchised retailers are playing a vital role in this process and have a clear understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing customers.”
Colin Walker, Head of Transport at the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said:
“Proposing to water down the UK’s biggest climate policy the day after temperatures hit 38C, and a summer of heat and drought that risks the UK having its worst ever harvest, may seem strange to the increasing number of people concerned by images of homes on fire, and the security and affordability of the food we eat.
“At a time when the PM is on a cost of living tour, with pump prices up due to another war-driven oil and gas crisis, incentivising the industry to slow the sale of EVs will lead to higher costs of living for families across the UK, given electric cars can save hundreds, even thousands, of pounds a year in running costs, and are now no more expensive to buy then a petrol car.
“Government watered down the policy last year, which has already added to the cost of living crisis. Parts of the industry called for flexibilities to meet sales targets, but then haven’t acknowledged how those flexibilities have done exactly what was asked in helping put the industry on track to hit its targets for the third year running.
“The first EVs sold under those targets are now turning up on the second hand market, and any slowdown risks choking that off, adding to the cost of living for regular families at a time when there is a surge in demand for used EVs.”
Iain Coucher, Chair, ChargeUK said:
“We welcome this planned review in which the government has committed to a full assessment of the EV transition, for automotive and charging industries, and for drivers. The ZEV mandate has underpinned the rollout of 120,000 public chargers to date and should be the foundation for a £385 billion economic opportunity from electrification by 2035.
“Any weakening threatens billions in charging investment and thus the wider opportunity from electrification. The most extreme options in this consultation threaten to entirely upend the UK’s reindustrialisation plans.
“There is limited public support for slowing the EV transition and we know millions more people would make the switch if it was affordable for them. So the government has an opportunity to deliver a voter-backed win for people’s pockets by doubling down on the ZEV mandate and cutting the policy costs pushing up public charging prices. Not only would this lower the cost of living it would unleash infrastructure investment in every postcode and reduce the country’s reliance on foreign oil.”
Melanie Lane, Chief Executive at Pod, commented:
“While unwelcome news, this consultation provides an opportunity for the EV sector to reiterate confidence in the ZEV mandate. It has helped drive record EV adoption while sending a clear and consistent signal to the whole ecosystem, from manufacturers and charging providers to investors and drivers, that the UK is committed to an electric future. It’s vital that industry now rallies around the mandate and protects that certainty, ensuring we have the investment and infrastructure needed to enable EV adoption at even greater scale.
“At Pod, we see firsthand that once drivers make the switch, living with an EV is simpler than many expect, especially for those who can charge at home. The driver has to be at the heart of this transition, and we shouldn’t risk denting their confidence at a time when adoption is accelerating and, as the recent heatwaves have brought into sharp focus, the need to decarbonise has rarely felt more immediate. The economic, environmental and consumer case for electrification is increasingly moving in the same direction. It simply doesn’t make sense to slow that momentum by creating fresh policy uncertainty around a mandate that is working.”
Nick Connor, Chief Executive of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) said:
“This announcement will undoubtedly be welcomed by wide sections of the automotive industry. However, our own very recent research has shown that the automotive workforce has serious doubts about whether it can keep pace based on the current targets, so the skills and support to help them achieve this is key.
“The destination remains clear, but what everyone needs – from manufacturers to frontline dealers and garages and, of course, motorists – is absolute clarity on the pace and pathway to get there. The constant uncertainty has done nothing to motivate businesses to commit to the essential upskilling that is needed to provide motorists with confidence that when they make the switch, they will be able to find a garage that can work on their vehicle safely and efficiently.
“The sector needs a clear picture of how the transition will happen so that training providers, employers and individuals can plan investment in skills with confidence. That’s the balancing act that matters most: realistic targets for vehicle sales, matched by an unwavering commitment to making sure the workforce is ready to support them.”
Ben Fletcher, Chief Executive of business group Logistics UK said:
“The Government has today launched its review of the ZEV Mandate, with a consultation running to 23 October 2026.
“Logistics UK members are committed to decarbonising their fleets, and we welcome the opportunity to shape how the transition is delivered.
“The commercial vehicle market works differently from the car market, and van uptake continues to run behind trajectory, largely because of practical barriers around grid connections, public charging that suits larger vehicles and costs. Getting those enablers right matters as much as the targets themselves. We’ll be consulting members over the coming weeks and responding in full.”
Guy Bartlett, Believ CEO
“This consultation should be a chance to lock in the progress towards the EV transition that drivers want and need, not press pause on it. It is therefore encouraging that ‘no change’ remains on the table.
“Recent data shows that only 37% of people want the EV transition slowed, with 53% wanting it kept on track or accelerated. Among Labour voters that figure rises to 68%. People want the benefits of cleaner, cheaper driving, not another delay.
“The switch to electric is also one of the UK’s biggest economic and environmental opportunities. Energy UK says EVs are the single biggest driver of emissions reductions in the UK’s Net Zero Pathway, cutting more than seven million tonnes of CO₂ from UK emissions every year. The ZEV Mandate is helping underpin billions of pounds of investment in charging infrastructure, grid upgrades, innovation and supply chains, supporting jobs and growth across the country.
“We are encouraged by the open, evidence-led consultation, but remain steadfast that the government must come out of it with the mandate protected, not weakened.”
David Martell, CEO of Andersen EV Plc, said:
“I have read the Government’s review of the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate with concern. The big question I ask is: why now? Why bring uncertainty to a market that is thriving?
“Consumers have never had such an impressive choice of EVs, often at prices comparable with equivalent petrol models. They have also recognised that EV running costs, especially when charging at home, are considerably lower. Quite simply, EVs are nicer to drive and are easier and less expensive to own and maintain.
“BEV registrations reached 43,106 in July, an increase of 44.5% compared with last year. Changing the annual mandate targets now would send a confusing message to consumers and risk dampening that enthusiasm.
“The UK market has complied with the mandate to date, while strong flexibilities are already available to help manufacturers mitigate potential penalties. Clear targets have also given the private sector the confidence to invest significantly in charging infrastructure and technology. If the mandate is watered down, what incentive will there be for businesses to continue that investment? Growth in the EV market has been achieved through certainty and stability. The Government must not rock the boat with a U-turn that creates uncertainty about its commitment to low-carbon motoring.”
Gavin Morgan, Commercial Director at Europcar Mobility Group UK, said:
“We welcome the government’s decision to bring forward the review of the ZEV mandate from 2027. As one of the UK’s largest fleet operators, we’ve seen first-hand both the opportunities and the practical challenges that come with transitioning to electric vehicles at scale. Fleets are central to the UK’s decarbonisation ambitions, and getting this policy right matters enormously – not just for mobility providers like us, but for the businesses and private motorists who rely on the rental sector.
“Our own data has shown that whilst there is a clear commitment to transition to electric motoring, many business drivers still experience a number of barriers. Our most recent EV Barometer found that cost is a barrier for 40% of respondents; charging infrastructure concerns also rose in Quarter 2 – at 31.6%.
“The review must therefore consider the whole EV ecosystem. Vehicle targets need to be supported by faster deployment of charging-infrastructure, measures that improve affordability and stronger consumer confidence in both new and used electric vehicles. A practical, coordinated approach will enable fleet operators to invest with greater confidence while ensuring that the transition remains accessible and workable for customers.”
The consultation will run until 23 October 2026.
Transport + Energy’s Head of Content James Evison has written a news analysis piece that looks at the journey to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, and the current state of play for the changeable policy – https://transportandenergy.com/2026/08/17/news-analysis-the-zev-mandate-debate/
Image courtesy of Green Car Guide.
