In its latest briefing, European clean transport and energy NGO Transport and Environment has said that claims about progress on EVs by the SMMT “do not stand up to scrutiny”.
It comes as reports on Sunday (14 June) claim that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is about to further dilute the ZEV Mandate, reducing the level of EVs from 80% of new car sales to just 50% by 2030.
Assessing the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)’s Same Destination, Smarter Route report earlier this year, T&E’s analysis said the study “leans heavily on selective evidence, unsupported assertions, and misleading interpretations”, and “exaggerate challenges while ignoring clear signs of significant market progress”.
T&E said that the headline figure of a £10 billion subsidising of electric vehicles by manufacturers, in order to hit ZEV targets, was more than double the £5,006-£5,647 average discount, which had previously been identified by JATO and Autotrader between 2024 and 2026. It said that with “no clear methodology or source, SMMT’s figure appears significantly overstated”.
On the issue of weak consumer demand, it highlighted that there were now more consumer enquiries than any other car type, as revealed recently by Autotrader.
In terms of charging infrastructure not keeping pace, it revealed that charge points were ahead of the trajectory anticipated by the Department for Transport by 28% in April 2026.
T&E also added that the SMMT “misreads the data” on battery costs, with prices for EVs having fallen 77% over the past decade.
The group added that the narrative “risks doing real damage” as well as “eroding consumer and investor confidence, confusing policymakers, and holding back investment in the transition”.
Tim Dexter, T&E UK Vehicles Policy Manager said:
“Let’s be clear: the SMMT has spent years overstating the challenges of the EV transition while downplaying industry inaction to justify weakening the ZEV mandate. The reality is much simpler. Carmakers that moved early, like Renault, are now gaining market share in the UK and globally thanks to great new EV models.
“Those that delayed are not victims of policy; they are betting on political backtracking. That is not a strategy, it is a gamble that risks leaving them behind in a rapidly electrifying global market.”
‘’This is not just about emissions, it is about shielding consumers from volatile oil markets, cutting reliance on imports, and future-proofing the UK against further shocks. Weakening policy now risks locking drivers into higher costs and greater energy insecurity at exactly the wrong time. If Ministers weaken policy it will be households that ultimately pay the price’’.
Image courtesy of Green Car Guide
