The existing targets and rules that are currently in place in the UK are being questioned, mainly by some car manufacturers that claim that it could threaten jobs. The ZEV mandate was introduced in late 2023 and puts pressure on car manufacturers to sell more EVs in the UK, rather than polluting combustion vehicles. However, despite  public pressure from some car manufacturers, Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh has reiterated that "the mandate will not be weakened".

The ZEV mandate is going to be ongoing and increasing every year. Currently in 2024, EVs or any zero emission vehicles must make up at least 22% of a car manufacturers sales in the UK. For vans, that is currently sitting at 10%. For every car sold that pushes the overall percentage outside of the allowed amount, then a £15,000 fine is enforced, per every vehicle sold.

Every year that goes by, the rules are going tget stricter too. From now until 2035, the percentage of zero-emission vehicles required to be sold year will increase. As of writing, a complete ban on the sale of all new petrol and diesel cars will come into effect by 2035 - however, Labour did mention in its manifesto, that this would be changed to 2030 - but this has not yet happened.

Regarding the pressure surrounding changing the ZEV mandate, Secretary of State for Transport, Louise Haigh has reiterated that "the mandate will not be weakened," but she will look at "flexibilities". This was part of an interview that Louise did earlier today with LBC Radio.

Despite the mainstream media reporting otherwise, October 2024 was a highly successful month for new EV sales in the UK. Pure electric vehicles were the only fuel type that saw any increase, with diesel, petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrids all seeing reductions in registrations. Diesel, one of the fastest declining fuel types, saw a 20.5% drop, when compared to October 2023.

Our take

The ZEV mandate is incredibly important for the UK. Without some kind of pressure on car manufacturers, then the imperative transition to electric vehicles just won't happen. It is refreshing to see Louise Haigh pushing back on demands from the car manufacturers that have simply not prepared enough for the electric transition.