UK Government Considers Lowering Electric Car Sales Targets

The UK government is preparing to change its rules for electric vehicle (EV) sales. Currently, the law requires that 80% of all new cars sold in the country must be electric by 2030. This policy, known as the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, was designed to help the UK reach its climate goals by moving away from petrol and diesel engines. However, reports from the Sunday Times and other outlets indicate that the government is now planning to lower this target, with figures between 50% and 70% being discussed.

This potential shift comes after years of intense pressure from the car industry and trade unions. Under the current mandate, car companies must increase the percentage of electric cars they sell every year. If they fail to meet these targets, they face heavy fines of up to £15,000 per car. To avoid these penalties, many manufacturers have been offering large discounts on electric models. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the industry has spent more than £10 billion on these discounts over the last two years.

Industry leaders argue that the current rules are moving too fast. They point out that many drivers are still hesitant to buy electric cars because they worry about the range of the batteries and the lack of public charging stations. Sharon Graham, the general secretary of the Unite union, has been a strong supporter of changing the rules. She described the potential move as a “huge victory” for workers, noting that the industry was worried about losing jobs if companies could not afford to keep up with the government’s strict requirements.

However, not everyone agrees with the decision to weaken the targets. Sustainability groups and experts in the charging industry have expressed concern. James Alexander, chief executive of the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association (UKSIF), explained that the ZEV mandate is essential for the country’s future. He noted that the mandate gives private investors the confidence to spend large amounts of money on building charging stations across the UK. According to Alexander, if the government waters down these goals, it could send a negative signal to investors and slow down the development of the national charging network.

This is not the first time the UK’s electric car policy has changed. The original plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 was first introduced by former prime minister Boris Johnson. Later, Rishi Sunak moved that deadline to 2035. The current Labour government has also faced difficult choices regarding these targets. While some ministers, such as the energy secretary Ed Miliband, have pushed to keep the original goals to meet net-zero targets, others, including the business secretary Peter Kyle, have supported the industry’s request for more flexibility.

Government sources mentioned by The Guardian suggest that the 2035 deadline for phasing out new hybrid cars will likely remain in place. By allowing more hybrid vehicles—which use both a small battery and a petrol engine—to be sold in the coming years, the government hopes to balance the needs of the industry with the goal of reducing carbon emissions. Currently, hybrid models make up a small portion of sales, but this could change significantly under the new proposal.

As the government prepares to hold a formal consultation on the new targets, the future of the UK’s transport sector remains uncertain. The process could take several months, leaving both car makers and environmental campaigners waiting for a final decision. For now, the government faces the difficult task of protecting manufacturing jobs while also trying to maintain progress toward a cleaner, electric future. As reported by the BBC, the government is expected to meet with industry leaders this week to discuss the next steps in this complex policy shift.