ZEV Mandate remains but government in ‘listening mode’
The government has confirmed it will not relax the ZEV Mandate despite pressure from vehicle manufacturers, but says it is in listening mode as EV sales fall.
The Department for Transport introduced the ZEV Mandate to help the country move towards net zero. It stipulates that 22% of new cars sold in the UK this year must be electric, with percentages rising each year until 100% of sales are electric by 2030.
Manufacturers face fines of up to £15,000 for every sold petrol or diesel vehicle that exceeds this target.
With EV sales weakening, the government is meeting manufacturers this week to discuss how the transition can be met, but Transport Secretary Louise Haigh has insisted ‘the mandate will not be weakened.’
She said:
“There has been a downturn in demand on a global level, so we are absolutely in listening mode. We want to discuss how the current situation is affecting them, but we are not diluting our ambition. I am meeting with a number of automotive manufacturers later in the week in order to discuss the challenges that they face on a global scale.”
Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has found that almost 300,000 new EVs have been sold in the UK this year, which represents 18.1% of total new car sales.
