UK Government Expected to Slash 2030 Electric Vehicle Sales Targets

LONDON, Nov 10 (OPA) — The UK government is expected to revise its Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate this week following a consultation launched in August. Current rules require four in five new car sales to be fully electric by 2030, rising from 33 percent this year. Downing Street has maintained that no official decision has been finalized yet, though a crunch meeting is scheduled for Wednesday to discuss the policy adjustments.

Industry representatives have warned that shifting regulatory frameworks create uncertainty for long-term investments. Steve Walker of Auto Express noted that manufacturers require stability to invest effectively, while consumers need sustained confidence in infrastructure. Conversely, easing the 80 percent threshold could allow carmakers to offer a broader range of affordable hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, addressing concerns from buyers reluctant to transition immediately.

Automakers previously urged the government to relax the mandates, arguing that maintaining compliance required unsustainable financial discounting. According to analysis by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, manufacturers have averaged discounts of around £11,000 per vehicle to meet current statutory thresholds. Critics within the charging infrastructure sector cautioned that softening the targets could decelerate private investments and slow charger deployment in underserved areas.

Despite the expected adjustments, officials maintain that the overarching framework remains intact. The government continues to target the complete phase-out of new cars relying solely on petrol and diesel engines by 2030, with 100 percent of new car and van sales mandated to be zero-emission by 2035 in alignment with legally binding net-zero targets.