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Stellantis meets ZEV mandate target for cars and vans

Stellantis has become one of the vehicle manufacturers in the UK to comply with the UK’s Vehicle Emissions Trading Scheme (VETS) – more commonly known as the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate – for both cars and vans in 2024.  

This was achieved thanks to strong sales of the group’s line-up of electric vehicles, with 30 electric cars and vans on sale in the UK across 11 brands, and without resorting to alternative ways of complying. 

The ZEV Mandate was passed into law by the House of Commons in December 2023 requiring 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold in Great Britain to be zero emission by 2030, increasing to 100% by 2035.

For 2024, 22% of all new UK car sales from each qualifying brand had to be zero-emissions, with the percentage gradually rising each year. For 2024, OEMs were subject to a £15,000 penalty per non-compliant car. If an OEM does not meet the target percentage for that year, then there are options to mitigate the fines including buying ‘credits’ from other OEMs who have a surplus.

Stellantis sold 39,492 electric cars in 2024 – a 59% increase on 2023 – resulting in a 10.3 per cent share of the electric car market. Stellantis Pro One – represented by Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroën & Fiat Professional brands – sold 7,821 electric vans in 2024, as many as the second and third placed manufacturers combined, with a market share of 35.6%. This made Stellantis the UK’s best-selling electric van manufacturer in 2024.

This success was achieved in a challenging market that has significantly impacted the business, requiring changes to the business model and the group’s operations to be compliant, including a proposed consolidation of its UK manufacturing footprint.

Eurig Druce, Group Managing Director, Stellantis UK, said:

“2024 saw more people than ever purchase an EV and I’d like to thank our customers who have decided to switch to electric with one of our brands and also to our incredible UK retailer network for making it happen. 

“Stellantis welcomes the UK Government’s consultation on the phase out of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 and support for zero-emission transition. Our ambition for 100% zero-emission vehicles is clearly explained in our Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan – our goals are aligned. 

“However, despite offering a very comprehensive line-up of popular electric cars and vans, and a strong will and focus on making our EVs as attainable as possible, the steep trajectories of the ZEV mandate are out of step from current demand. Put simply, if the UK is to achieve its transport emission ambitions, and for EVs to represent 80% of new cars sold in 2030, then consumers are going to need more encouragement from Government to do so.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said:

“It’s great to see that Stellantis has met its EV sales target for 2024, increasing on year sales by more than half. 

“The UK is now the largest EV market in Europe and, thanks to the flexibilities of the ZEV Mandate, we are confident that the whole industry will meet targets and that no car manufacturer will need to pay fines.

“2024 was also a record year for the rollout of charge points, with nearly 20,000 public chargers added to the network last year and a further 100,000 in the pipeline thanks to Government support.

“We’re investing over £2.3 billion to make the transition to zero-emissions vehicles a success, unlocking a multibillion-pound industry and creating high-quality jobs that will drive growth for decades to come.”

Last month the Department for Transport (DfT) launched a consultation on the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate – with the automotive and charging industries invited to have their say on how to deliver the Government’s manifesto commitment to restore the 2030 phase out date for new purely petrol and diesel cars and make the transition to zero emissions vehicles a success.

Image courtesy of Stellantis.

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