The UK government is reviewing its electric vehicle (EV) sales targets after pressure from car manufacturers, raising the possibility that the 2030 zero-emission vehicle requirement could be reduced.
Under the current rules, known as the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, carmakers must ensure that a growing percentage of the new cars they sell each year are zero-emission vehicles.
The government is considering reducing the target to 50% of total new-car sales by 2030. A public consultation on the proposed changes will remain open until the end of October.
Environmental organisations have warned that weakening the UK’s EV sales target could undermine the country’s long-term climate and carbon-reduction goals.
Under the existing ZEV mandate, the proportion of electric vehicles in new-car sales is scheduled to rise each year, increasing from 22% in 2024 to 33% in 2026 and 80% by 2030.
Labour’s election manifesto commitment to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 will remain in place.
However, the changes under consideration could allow manufacturers to sell a larger proportion of hybrid vehicles in the UK market.
If the government reduces the pure-electric sales target to 50%, the remaining 50% of new-car sales could include hybrid vehicles.
Another option would be to retain the 80% EV target while giving carmakers greater flexibility to meet it until 2034.
A longer-term deadline to phase out new hybrid vehicle sales would also remain in place until 2035.
The UK’s electric vehicle policies have already undergone significant changes in recent years.
The ban on new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030 was originally announced by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. His successor, Rishi Sunak, later delayed the deadline to 2035.
Mr Sunak also introduced a more gradual timetable for EV sales under the ZEV mandate.
Labour has previously accused Conservative governments of “moving the goalposts” on the petrol and diesel phase-out date.
The review follows calls from automotive industry leaders to ease the targets. Manufacturers argue that consumer demand for electric cars is not yet strong enough and that meeting the requirements could increase costs.
This comes despite battery electric vehicles accounting for a quarter of total UK car sales during the first seven months of the year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The Climate Change Committee, which advises the UK government, has said replacing petrol and diesel engines with electric vehicles will be one of the most effective ways to reduce transport emissions over the next decade.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “It is right that we continue to review the targets to ensure they are realistic and support British industry.”
“The end goal hasn’t changed. But we need to bring business along on that journey, and that’s exactly what we’re doing today by giving the industry an opportunity to help shape how we get there.”
Ford UK managing director Lisa Brankin welcomed the government’s decision to listen to carmakers, saying: “It’s vital that we give our industry and our customers the certainty we need.”
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said the ZEV mandate was “conceived under very different conditions”.
He described the review as “a timely opportunity to adjust the transition to work for everyone”.
Electric vehicle advocates and climate groups have criticised the proposed changes.
Tanya Sinclair, head of UK Electric Vehicles, said the government was questioning whether higher-polluting vehicles should remain on the road for longer during a period of record-breaking summer temperatures.
The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit estimates that reducing the EV sales target to 50% could result in 2.6 million fewer electric cars on UK roads by 2035.
Gurjeet Grewal, head of Octopus Electric Vehicles, said weakening the ZEV mandate would “send just the wrong signal, just as EVs are becoming some of the most valuable vehicles on the road”.
Rising petrol prices linked to the conflict involving Iran have also increased global interest in electric vehicles as drivers look for ways to reduce fuel costs.
The Green Alliance said reducing the targets would “lock in avoidable emissions while undermining the certainty that manufacturers need to invest in”.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk