Climate Group’s EV100 calls to protect ZEV Mandate

Members of The Climate Group’s EV100 have called on the UK Government to protect the “world-leading” ZEV Mandate as it enters into a fresh consultation.

The news follows an announcement last week that flexibilities in the Mandate would be considered as part of the new Labour administration’s plans to roll-back the ending of new ICE vehicles to 2030, after former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delayed it to 2035 last year.

Speaking about the Mandate, which had come under significant pressure in recent weeks by vehicle manufacturers, the EV100 group said that it was a “bold, highly effective tool”, which played a “key role”.

Stating it had come under “fierce attack”, the group said: “For weeks now, a small number of carmakers has launched a concerted, last-minute lobbying effort against the Mandate. They’re blaming it for a wide range of related and unrelated problems – even though the industry is firmly on track of reaching this year’s targets, and every indication is that global EV sales are only going to go one way: up.”

The group has made three specific asks to government as part of the process:

1. To protect the ZEV Mandate at all costs 
2. Create significant new incentives for private buyers to further encourage the mass-uptake of EVs
3. Initiate a bold national mission around EV infrastructure

Victoria Mulford, Operations Manager, Grundfos Pumps, EV100 member said:

“We need certainty from the Government to enable us to continue our transition and are wholly backing the ZEV Mandate, as a world-leading piece of legislation, to help us meet our net zero goals.” 

Head of Transport at the Climate Group, Dominic Phinn, told the Guardian:

“There is absolutely no justification for tinkering with the world-leading tool that has put the UK in the fast lane of the global EV transition. Carmakers face a simple choice: scale up EV manufacture now and seize a huge economic opportunity – or be left behind by those who do.” 

Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK, said:

“Everyone is agreed that uncertainty is the enemy of the EV transition and threatens investment on all sides.”

Alex Thwaites, Director of EV at OVO, EV100 member said:

“The ZEV Mandate provides certainty for both UK drivers and the automotive industry as we strive to reach net zero. Industry and Government need to come together to make the switch to electric vehicles an easier choice; one that is better for them and the planet.”

Nathan Sanders, Managing Director for Distributed Energy, SSE, EV100 member said:

“It’s vital the Government continues to maintain a supportive policy environment with a strong ZEV Mandate at its core. That will give us the confidence in the marketplace to invest, deliver the backbone of decarbonised transport across the UK and Ireland, and enable the transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) cars for fleets and members of the public alike.”