Fresh reports following the conclusion of the latest consultation on the ZEV Mandate have claimed that the UK Government is set to change the targets for 2030.
According to The Guardian, a “crunch meeting” is set for Wednesday, led by First Secretary of State Louise Haigh, to settle the issue between the Department for Transport, the Department for Energy Security and Net-Zero, and the Department for Business and Trade.
Previous reports have suggested that the UK Government could reduce the ZEV Mandate to around 50 or 60% of new car registrations being zero-emission vehicles rather than the current 80%.
The latest report now claims the UK Government will change the 2030 target to about 60%, and extend the flexibilities in the targets until 2034.
In a comment from the UK Government to The Guardian, it said the administration will take a “pragmatic and balanced approach” to the Mandate.
Interestingly, the UK Government also said it remained “committed to the phase out of all new cars relying solely on petrol and diesel engines by 2030”, which could suggest further flexibilities, including potentially on hybrid powertrains. In addition, allowing for flexibilities on the 2030 ZEV Mandate targets rather than removing it, could enable the Labour administration to also claim it hasn’t broken a General Election manifesto commitment.
In 2024, the Labour Party ran on a policy to reinstate the 2030 target in the General Election, after the-then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak shifted the date to 2035, after the prime minister in 2020, Boris Johnson, had set in the train the groundwork for the original ZEV Mandate of 2030, as part of his initial “10 point plan for a green industrial revolution”.
The news comes as the latest figures for October revealed cars with a plug accounted for all of the growth in the car market, as separate figures from the SMMT and New AutoMotive both showed a significant rise year-on-year. SMMT figures revealed battery-electric vehicle (BEV) deliveries increased by 32.7% to secure 32.0% – their highest share this year.
The ZEV Mandate targets themselves have been subjected to a number of interpretations by the industry, with some stating the target of 33% for 2026 hasn’t been hit, but others saying the actual figure is nearer 25-27%, when flexibilities are accounted for, and which has been met or exceeded.
Shane Brennan, chief executive of ChargeUK, said:
“Weakening the mandate puts £1.7bn of charging infrastructure at risk and all the associated jobs and supply chain spending that goes with it.
“Charging investors’ confidence will be rocked by a third change in three years. Government should be in no way complacent about the long-term implications of being seen to cave to the short-term interest of global car importers.”
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and the union Unite have consistently called for further reductions in the ZEV Mandate.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes previously said about the Mandate:
“Regulatory targets are now running ahead of current consumer demand, so this review is a timely opportunity to optimise the pace of change. This is a regulation that increasingly dictates consumer choice – and therefore automotive companies’ future strategies and viability – so it must work for all involved.
“That means a commercially sustainable transition that supports UK competitiveness, investment and jobs while delivering greater choice and affordability for motorists – with a rapid resolution needed to unlock those benefits for everyone.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said in June when the consultation on the Mandate was announced:
“The government at the highest level has listened to the concerns of Unite and is now set to act decisively to protect the jobs of UK automotive workers.
“As Unite had said the failure to act would have been an act of self-harm to a sector which is a jewel in the crown of UK manufacturing.
“The consultation must be swiftly concluded and its findings quickly implemented to provide the sector and workers with much needed certainty.”
Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit’s (ECIU) Head of Transport Izzy Romilly said:
“This will cause alarm both for those concerned about climate change, but also those facing the cost-of-living crisis, where the shift to EVs – new or second hand – is a practical way that families and businesses can insulate themselves from volatile petrol and diesel costs.
“Some claim that the race to electrify will hurt British business, but with the world moving steadily towards EVs, it’s the failure to electrify that will hit the industry hardest. Most of the cars we build are sold abroad, to countries where EV sales are rising, while petrol and diesel cars are on the way out, with global sales peaking way back in 2017.
“Despite claims that the mandate is unrealistic, manufacturers met their EV sales targets for the last two years and on in three new cars sold in the UK were electric in October.
“On the heels of the UK’s hottest ever summer and months of drought, watering down the UK’s single largest policy for cutting emissions having also cut funding for electric heat pumps would be an odd look.”
Image courtesy of Green Car Guide
