Government announces ZEV Mandate consultation
The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced a ZEV Mandate consultation that will run for eight weeks.
It is inviting industry stakeholders to share their views on the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles, and what further support is needed to achieve this target.
The consultation will be divided into two parts.
The first part will consider the challenges around restoring the 2030 date for banning the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles. Views will be invited on whether hybrids should be exempt from the ban. This part of the consultation will also consider vans and light commercial vehicles.
The second part of the consultation will focus on technical measures to amend the ZEV Mandate without compromising the overall trajectory, certainty, or carbon savings of the regulations.
ZEV Mandate consultation
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander said:
“Employing 152,000 people and adding £19bn to our economy, the UK’s automotive industry is a huge asset to our nation — and the transition to electric is an unprecedented opportunity to attract investment, harness British innovation, and deliver growth for generations to come.
“Yet over the last few years, our automotive industry has been stifled by a lack of certainty and direction. This Government will change that.”
She continued: “To support manufacturers in the transition, the ZEV Mandate already features a range of flexibilities to help industry comply in a way that makes sense for them and the wider market, including selling fewer zero emission vehicles than the headline target if they make up for it in other ways. The consultation explores the design of the flexibilities to ensure they continue to support manufacturers.
“This consultation is focused on how, not if, we reach the 2030 target. It will give the sector the opportunity to consider how the current arrangements and flexibilities are working, which hybrid cars can be sold alongside zero emission models between 2030 and 2035, and any further support measures to help make the transition a success for industry and consumers.”
Business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds added:
“There is no route to net zero without backing British industries and workers. There are huge advantages for British industry and we must make sure decarbonisation creates jobs and opportunities. We are steadfast in our mission to help our world-leading automotive industry thrive, and this consultation will look at how we can support manufacturers, investors, and the wider industry to reach their targets.”
